49ers trade details: NFL insider reveals Bryce Huff compensation sent to Eagles

Huff's path from breakout star to trade asset

Huff had a breakout campaign in 2023, recording a career-high 10 sacks in his final season with the New York Jets—production that earned him a lucrative free-agent deal with the Eagles. However, his first and only season in Philadelphia fell short of expectations. Huff totaled just 2.5 sacks, missing five games due to a torn ligament in his wrist.

He returned in time for the playoffs but struggled to make a meaningful impact. Many analysts believe the dip in production had less to do with injury and more to do with scheme fit under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

"I've seen different guys flourish in different systems, and then you see them get in another system, it's different," said retired defensive end Brandon Graham, a teammate of Huff's last season. "And what they asked of him this year, it just wasn't a great marriage, I would say, because I know Huff can rush. I see him doing all that, but sometimes it's just different with the type of scheme and what people ask of you, and what they want you to be able to do."

Reuniting with Saleh, learning from Kocurek

The trade reunites Huff with Robert Saleh, his former head coach with the Jets and now the 49ers' defensive coordinator. It also places Huff under the guidance of defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, who is known for revitalizing the careers of underperforming yet talented pass rushers.

"In the end, even with the ring he got along the way, it didn't work out [in Philadelphia], thanks in large part to the demands Vic Fangio's scheme puts on edge players to drop into coverage and set hard edges in the run game," Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer wrote Monday. "Always better moving upfield, and attacking, his fit was better with Saleh all along."