Philadelphia Eagles News

Home

Quizzes

Watch

Newsletter

Power Rankings

Atlanta Falcons v Philadelphia Eagles Cooper Neill/GettyImages

San Francisco reporter blasts Eagles brass over Bryce Huff trade

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles | By Gourab Saha | Last updated May 31, 2025 10:00 AM ET

Picture this: a high-stakes poker table under the bright lights of the NFL offseason. Howie Roseman, the Philadelphia Eagles' general manager known for his cap wizardry, slides a hefty stack of chips—$34 million guaranteed—across the felt. He’s betting big on a pass rusher flashing serious potential. Think hitting on 16 in blackjack, hoping for that perfect five. It feels bold, maybe brilliant. However, even the savviest players sometimes get dealt a tough hand. The cards are turning, and the stakes just got higher.

The Deal Goes Down

The intrigue shattered on Friday. The Eagles are trading edge rusher Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers for a future day three draft pick, league sources confirmed. Crucially, Huff restructured his contract to make it happen. Originally due $17 million fully guaranteed from Philly this season, the Eagles now absorb only $9.05 million. The 49ers pick up the remaining $7.95 million tab for 2025. Simply put, Philadelphia pays nearly $10 million for Huff not to play for them this year, while San Francisco gets a potential impact rusher at a discount.

"Philly simply traded away 2026 team control to the 49ers," noted San Francisco reporter David Lombardi pointedly, arguing the Eagles gained little tangible future benefit. Ouch!

The Financial Hangover

Roseman, famed for cap gymnastics, faced a mess. Cutting Huff post-June 1 still meant a brutal $19.8 million dead money hit. Trading him offered relief, but required swallowing $9.05 million now and losing the player. Lombardi blasted the perceived spin, noting the 2026 cap "relief" was illusory.

"The Eagles didn’t 'get off the hook' of 2026 with Bryce Huff— they were never on the hook that season to begin with... They could’ve just cut him for the same 2026 result." Thomas Mott cheered the "$15 million in cap space PLUS got a draft pick," but Lombardi countered sharply.

Philly people need to stop acting like relinquishing a non-GTD year via trade is some sort of win. It’s not.

The Eagles didn’t “get off the hook” of 2026 with Bryce Huff — they were never on the hook that season to begin with, since he had no guaranteed money beyond 2025. They…
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) May 31, 2025

"And the Eagles lost about $25 million in cap space by signing Huff, who didn’t fit their system, in the first place. Is it that hard for people to be unbiased and chart out the big picture?" Lombardi fired. The financial tale is complex, but the bottom line stings: Philly paid heavily for a failed experiment.

A Misfit in Midnight Green?

Let’s rewind. Huff arrived in Philly last spring riding a monster 2023 season: 10 sacks and a league-leading pressure rate under current 49ers head coach Robert Saleh with the Jets. The Eagles saw him as Haason Reddick’s dynamic successor. Reality bit hard.

And the Eagles lost about $25 million in cap space by signing Huff, who didn’t fit their system, in the first place.

Is it that hard for people to be unbiased and chart out the big picture? Both teams agreed to this trade for a reason https://t.co/wcLgd1Cn2d
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) May 31, 2025

Huff managed just 2.5 sacks and 23 pressures in 12 games. A wrist injury cost him five games. More tellingly, he never locked down a starting role. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s top-ranked defense thrived without him. By the Super Bowl, Huff was a healthy scratch. Brandon Graham, the ageless wonder, took his spot. The $34 million gamble looked like it was busted. Meanwhile, in the Bay, the 49ers see an opportunity.

San Francisco's Salvage Operation

They desperately needed a pass-rush juice opposite Nick Bosa after cutting Leonard Floyd. Rookie Mykel Williams brings promise but lacks proven NFL burst. Enter Bryce Huff, reuniting with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh—the architect of his 2023 breakout. For just $7.95 million this year, San Francisco gets a low-risk, high-reward flyer on a player who thrived in their system. If Huff rediscovers his Jets form, this trade is an absolute steal. It’s like finding a vintage baseball card at a yard sale—potential treasure for pennies. So, where do the Eagles turn?

Josh Sweat is in Arizona. Graham retired. Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt showed promise late last season. Roseman added veterans Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche on prove-it deals. Rookie Jihaad Campbell offers versatility. The cupboard isn’t bare, but questions remain.

Can Smith become a consistent force? Will Uche stay healthy? Replacing Sweat’s pressure won’t be easy. The Huff saga is a costly reminder: big free agent splashes don't always yield Super Bowl waves. Sometimes, they leave a financial ripple effect.

This article first appeared on Inside the Iggles and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: