Bryce Huff’s time with the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t go as planned. After signing a three-year, $51.1 million contract last offseason, expectations were high for the former New York Jets pass rusher. But instead of thriving, Huff struggled to find his footing in Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme, leading to a disappointing season.
Now, Eagles veteran Brandon Graham offered his take on why Huff never quite fit in Philadelphia, calling it a “bad marriage” between player and system.
Brandon Graham’s Honest Take on Huff’s Struggles
Graham, a two-time Super Bowl champion, didn’t hold back when discussing Huff’s difficulties with the Eagles. Speaking on the Ross Tucker Podcast, he highlighted scheme fit as the biggest issue.
“With the Jets, it was just that defense, man. I know what it’s like playing in that 4-3, wide-nine, go get it. Every play, it’s always stop the run on the way to the quarterback. That’s the slogan in that type of defense,” Graham explained.
“I feel like it’s all scheme. I mean, I’ve seen different guys flourish in different systems, and then you see him get in another system [and] it’s different, and what they asked of [Huff] this year, it just wasn’t a great marriage, I would say.”
Graham made it clear that Huff is still a talented pass rusher, but the Eagles’ defensive approach didn’t allow him to play to his strengths.
Bryce Huff’s former teammate Brandon Graham explained why Huff struggled with the Eagles:
“With the Jets, it was just that defense, man. I know what it’s like playing in that 4-3, wide-nine, go get it. Every play, it’s always stop the run on the way to the quarterback. That’s… pic.twitter.com/4UUHbs1NXY
— Coach Yac (@Coach_Yac) June 1, 2025
Bryce Huff’s Disappointing Season in Philadelphia
Huff’s 2024 stats tell the story of his struggles. In 12 games played and six games started, he amounted just 2.5 sacks, 13 tackles, and a forced fumble. Compare that to his 2023 breakout season with the Jets, where he recorded 10 sacks and 67 pressures despite not starting a single game.
Huff was expected to be a key piece in the Eagles’ pass rush rotation, but injuries and inconsistent playing time kept him from making a real impact. He was even inactive for the Eagles’ Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs, showing that he wasn’t in the team’s long-term plans.
Huff’s Fresh Start With the 49ers
Philadelphia ultimately decided to cut its losses, trading Huff to the San Francisco 49ers for a mid-round draft pick. The move reunites Huff with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who coached him during his best years with the Jets.
San Francisco is betting that Huff can return to form in a system that better suits his skill set. Under Saleh in 2023, Huff had the best pressure rate in the NFL (21.8%), proving he can be a disruptive force when used correctly.