When the Philadelphia Eagles traded pass rusher Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason, most fans said good riddance after Huff struggled to make an impact in his one year with the club.
The Eagles fan base was also surprised to see that general manager Howie Roseman received quality draft capital in return for Huff, as they got a 2026 fifth-round pick. Additionally, that pick can become a fourth-rounder if the ex-Eagle can notch eight sacks this season with San Francisco.
Based on how he performed last year with the Eagles, it was unfathomable at the time to think that Huff could get five sacks, let alone eight. That said, Huff was reunited with his former head coach in Robert Saleh, and has turned things around, which is good news for the Eagles.
Bryce Huff Continues to Help Eagles, Despite Not Being in Philadelphia
On Friday afternoon, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer pointed out that the former Eagle now has three sacks on the season after recording a sack in Thursday night’s win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Huff has already surpassed his sack total from his time with the Eagles (2.5) and is on pace to get at least 8.5 sacks. If you’re an Eagles fan, you wish that this Huff had shown up last season, as they could use him this season. Still, watching the trade return improve to a fourth-rounder would at least pacify some fans.
For one reason or another, things did not work in Philadelphia under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. And now he’s thriving with Saleh, who knows how to use him and got the best out of him in 2023 with the Jets, where he had 10 sacks.
The 49ers will need Huff to continue to be a force off the edge, as they’re without star defensive end Nick Bosa, who is out for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL. Without Bosa for these last two games, Huff has played 38 and 40 defensive snaps, giving him more opportunities to attack opposing quarterbacks.
The 49ers’ next game is against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Heading into Week 5, Mayfield has been sacked eight times through four games, so you can bet Huff is salivating at that possibility.
Huff will try to add to that total, which will not only help the 49ers but also the Eagles. Based on how this defensive end group looks, Philadelphia will happily take a fourth-round pick in 2026, which could help them get a potential Day 1 starter come April.