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Kyle Shanahan, 49ers Receive Unexpected Retirement News on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Mar 12, 2026 5:01 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers have spent the early weeks of the 2026 offseason reshaping their roster after a difficult 2025 campaign that exposed several weaknesses, particularly along the defensive line. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have already made moves aimed at strengthening the front seven, including the trade for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who was acquired from the Dallas Cowboys to help address a pass rush that struggled last season.

San Francisco finished 2025 with just 20 sacks as a team, one of the lowest totals in the NFL , prompting the organization to prioritize defensive line upgrades during free agency and the offseason. With star edge rusher Nick Bosa expected to return from injury and former first-round pick Mykel Williams also recovering, the 49ers appeared to be building depth across the defensive front as they prepared for the 2026 season.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

However, the team received unexpected news on Thursday that will once again reshape its defensive plans.

Veteran pass rusher Bryce Huff announced on Instagram that he is retiring from the NFL, revealing that he plans to launch a new venture called Naberstone, a company focused on developing safety infrastructure to help reduce fire risks caused by lithium-ion batteries.

Huff shared the announcement in a video on Instagram, with the caption: “grateful for the game. the next chapter starts now.”

The decision came as a surprise to many around the organization given Huff’s role with the 49ers during the 2025 season. The 27-year-old appeared in 15 games with eight starts, finishing the year with four sacks and 46 quarterback pressures while playing a career-high 56% of defensive snaps. His production tied him for the team lead in sacks during a season where injuries to key players forced him into a larger role than originally expected.

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Huff’s path to the NFL was far from traditional. After going undrafted out of Memphis in 2020, he signed with the New York Jets and gradually developed into one of the league’s most efficient pass rush specialists. His breakout came in 2023 when he recorded 10 sacks, a performance that helped him secure a three-year, $51 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles the following offseason.

Huff’s time in Philadelphia was brief, as he struggled to fit into the team’s defensive scheme and was eventually traded to San Francisco before the 2025 season. He finished his NFL career with 108 tackles, 24 sacks and four forced fumbles across 81 games, while also earning a Super Bowl ring during his time with the Eagles.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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