When ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported that the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles were finalizing a trade for defensive end Bryce Huff, he noted that the 49ers would be sending a mid-round draft pick to Philadelphia as part of the deal.
When both teams officially announced the trade on Monday, they confirmed the compensation as a mid-round pick but did not specify the round. This led to speculation that it might be a conditional selection.
RELATED 49ers officially announce trade for Bryce Huff
Shortly after the trade was announced, CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones provided more clarity, revealing that the 49ers are sending a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick to the Eagles. The pick could become a fourth-rounder based on Huff's performance during the 2025 season.
Trade compensation update: it's a 2026 conditional fifth round pick that can turn into a fourth. Condition(s) tied to performance. All pending physical. https://t.co/LIAQeKD0uR
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) June 2, 2025
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."