Huff recorded a career-high 10 sacks in 2023, earning a three-year deal with the Eagles. However, in 12 appearances (six starts) last season, he managed just 2.5 sacks after being asked to adapt to a different style of play. While injuries contributed, the Eagles ultimately decided to move on.
CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr ranked this offseason's trades based on situation, placing Huff's move to the 49ers at No. 10.
"Huff was a disaster with the Eagles last season, not even being active for their Super Bowl LIX victory over the Chiefs," Kerr explained. "The Eagles moved on from Huff during minicamp, sending him to San Francisco and reuniting him with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh -- in a defense where he had one of the highest pass-rushing rates in the league as a pass-rushing specialist."
Saleh was the Jets' head coach during Huff's final three seasons with the team. He's expected to help the pass rusher regain his old form. A return to a familiar system should be beneficial.
"Huff's role in San Francisco will be determined, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him thrive at getting to the quarterback once again," Kerr added.
49ers star defensive end Nick Bosa believes the Eagles misused Huff and predicts a strong bounce-back campaign.
"He was one of the guys that I liked to really watch when he was with the Jets," Bosa said in June. "And obviously, it didn't work out with the Eagles, but you take a guy who's playing a four-down-attack front, and then you put him in as an outside backer, it's not always gonna work out so great.
"He's really elite at a certain thing, so we're gonna use him that way, and I'm excited to see it."
In June, Saleh highlighted what Huff brings to the 49ers' defense.
"Speed off the edge," Saleh said. "I think highly of him as a pass rusher. I thought he was very productive, obviously, with the Jets. He wins at such a high rate. A lot of times, we look at pass rushers, we look at sacks, and sacks are important. They end drives. It's what ultimately gets these guys paid, but his disruption rate in getting the quarterback off the spot, and the way he can do it—now."
Huff joins a defensive front that underwent a massive overhaul this offseason. The unit will look much different in 2025 with the additions of rookies Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and CJ West. Paired with Bosa and Huff, the 49ers hope to significantly improve a defensive line that struggled to consistently stop the run and pressure quarterbacks last season.
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