The Philadelphia Eagles capped off the 2024 NFL season as Super Bowl Champions, however, that doesn't mean all of Nick Sirianni's players gave championship-level performances last year.
One Eagle who underperformed throughout the championship campaign is none other than Bryce Huff. The former Memphis Tiger failed to live up to the three-year, $51 million contract he signed last offseason, leaving time to tell if Sirianni's staff would adjust his role going forward.
Although there's still time for Huff to get back on track, one of the newest Eagles' recent comments should strike some fear into the veteran pass rusher's mind.
Eagles News: Azeez Ojulari Aims for Bryce Huff's Job
On Wednesday, the Eagles introduced free-agent signing Azeez Ojulari to the local media. The 24-year-old linebacker signed a one-year, $4 million contract with Philadelphia over the weekend, and didn't waste any time showing that he has his sights on a big role next season.
"I’m ready to come in here and compete. I’m a hard worker," Ojulari said, according to Philadelphia Inquirier's Jeff McLane.
New #Eagles OLB Azeez Ojulari on his expected role:
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 19, 2025
I’m ready to come in here and compete. I’m a hard worker. pic.twitter.com/BkIB63kMif
Ojulari's words should light a fire beneath Huff if he wants to remain a starter on next season's defense. The former New York Giants pass rusher is clearly hungry for a bigger role, and could potentially steal some of Huff's snap count if the latter doesn't return to form.
Ojulari, 24, joins the Eagles after showing pass-rushing potential throughout his early NFL career. The ex-Georgia Bulldog racked up 59 solo tackles and 22.0 sacks in 46 games with the Giants and would likely have expanded on those numbers had he not missed 22 contests in the last three years due to injury.
If that doesn't paint a promising outlook, here's how Ojulari and Huff's 2024 performance compared to each other:
Azeez Ojulari | Bryce Huff | |
|---|---|---|
Games played | 11 (5 starts) | 12 (6 starts) |
Solo tackles | 12 | 5 |
Sacks | 6.0 | 2.5 |
Tackles for loss | 7 | 3 |
QB pressures | 10 | 8 |
Joining a new defense will bring some growing pains, but Ojulari's latest performance paints him as a potential Huff replacement. That isn't to say that the Eagles will cut ties with the underperforming EDGE, however, it wouldn't be out of the question if Huff played more of a backup role assuming that Ojulari immediately impresses defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
At the end of the day, the best-case scenario would be if Ojulari and Huff both play to their potential come September. Along with recent signing Josh Uche, the defensive duo must step up to help an Eagles pass rush that lost the likes of Brandon Graham (retirement), Josh Sweat (Arizona Cardinals), and Milton Williams (New England Patriots) this offseason.
Fortunately, offseason additions like that of Ojulari have already helped put Philadelphia in next season's Lombardi Trophy conversation. The Eagles are on the right path to back-to-back titles, proven by their being FanDuel Sportsbook's current +650 favorite to win Super Bowl 60 as NFL free agency continues.
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