Bryce Huff. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

49ers strike gold with low-risk edge-rusher acquisition

By Sterling Bennett | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 11:27 AM ET

The San Francisco 49ers struck gold when they acquired edge-rusher Bryce Huff from the Philadelphia Eagles. While Huff has yet to take the field for San Francisco, the potential he brings to its defense is rarely found this late in the NFL offseason.

When the 49ers rehired defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, it signaled a hopeful return to form. Saleh has gone above and beyond to rekindle the magic that existed during his first tenure in San Francisco. He started by helping shed expensive and inefficient veterans on the roster. He then strategically curated a draft class with seven defensive players out of the team's 11 picks. Despite that, the team only selected one defensive lineman, 11th overall pick Mykel Williams, leaving a hole as to who will be the team’s pass-rushing specialist. Enter Huff.

Huff began his career in 2020 with the New York Jets and briefly saw a career season in 2023 under Saleh’s tutelage. During his time in the wide-nine scheme, Huff totaled 67 pressures, 10 sacks and a league-high 21.8 percent press rate in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus.

While his productions took a dip in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense last season in Philadelphia and ended up being a healthy scratch in Super Bowl LIX, Huff was not a schematic fit. Although sporadically used in wide-nine fronts with the Eagles, Huff still ranked ninth in pressure rate in the scheme.

Acquiring Huff should not be conflated with the idea of having a star edge-rusher opposite Nick Bosa. He is not that, but he has been brought in to be a mercenary on third downs and to pay off San Francisco’s draft strategy — improve the run defense to get opposing offenses into third-and-long, then let the defensive line pin its ears back and attack the quarterback.

It also helps knowing there is no risk attached to Huff. The 49ers are paying under half of Huff’s remaining contract in 2025 while maintaining control of a $17 million vesting option in 2026. If Huff is great, San Francisco renegotiates a new deal and lowers his future cap hit. If Huff struggles, the 49ers cut him loose and only lose a conditional fifth-round pick in the process.

Sterling Bennett

Sterling Bennett is a seasoned sports journalist and writer, specializing in in-depth coverage of the NFL and San Francisco 49ers. With over half a decade of experience in sports media, Sterling combines insider knowledge, sharp analysis, and a passionate voice to deliver engaging content that resonates with fans. His work is known for its clarity, credibility, and ability to break down complex football narratives into compelling stories

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