Bryce Huff trade: What it means for the 49ers’ salary cap

Spotrac recently analyzed the financial implications of the San Francisco 49ers' trade for defensive end Bryce Huff, acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick. The selection could escalate to a fourth-rounder based on Huff's performance during the 2025 season.

According to the salary cap tracking site, the Eagles will absorb dead cap hits of $4.93 million in 2025 and $16.61 million in 2026. Meanwhile, the 49ers are now responsible for $7.95 million against the cap in 2025 and $17.1 million in 2026.

Last week, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Huff agreed to a restructured contract to help facilitate the trade. The Eagles also agreed to pay $9.05 million of Huff's earnings, and it appears that this will be in the form of a bonus, with the team able to defer a portion of it to 2026.

The 49ers recently created approximately $5.6 million in cap space thanks to post-June 1 release designations for defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins. That added flexibility helped offset the financial cost of acquiring Huff.

Although San Francisco currently holds over $50 million in salary cap space, the team is expected to roll much of that surplus into future years to maintain long-term flexibility, especially now that quarterback Brock Purdy ranks among the NFL's highest-paid players.

The 49ers are banking on a bounce-back year from Huff, who recorded a career-high 10 sacks with the New York Jets in 2023. The trade reunites him with former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who returned to San Francisco this offseason as the team's defensive coordinator.