Breaking News: The Eagles cut ties with $51 million edge rusher.
The Eagles are expected to let go of their $51 million edge rusher.
When the Philadelphia Eagles signed veteran edge rusher Josh Sweat to a one-year, $10 million contract and signed New York Jets edge rusher Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51.1 million contract prior to the 2024 season, they made one of the worst free agent acquisitions in the team’s history.
Huff’s contract didn’t really matter in 2024 because the Eagles still had the best defense in the NFL and made it to the Super Bowl, but in 2025, with Sweat most likely leaving in free agency and veteran Brandon Graham likely leaving as well, if not retiring, it may matter much more.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report suggested that the Eagles sell Huff to the Atlanta Falcons, who are in dire need of pass rushers, in order to receive some of that money back in the form of draft selections.
Ultimately, Ballentine stated on February 3 that the Falcons must improve their defense. “… The issue is that Atlanta still has serious worries about its defensive line and secondary. It could make some sense to target Bryce Huff. Although he has mostly been a free-agent bust in Philadelphia, his pass-rush output is strong enough to provide hope that he may revitalize the faltering Falcons pass rush.
The Eagles may be willing to give up Huff and his enormous pay, even if it means trading him for a late-round draft selection.
The Eagles were criticized for their “regrettable mistake.” After Huff struggled with output and injuries, his deal, which pays him almost $17 million a season, was listed as one of the NFL clubs’ “Most Regrettable Mistakes” in 2024 by Bleacher Report.
Huff missed five games because of wrist surgery, but he returned to the active roster in Week 17 after finishing the regular season with 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report stated on December 30 that the Philadelphia Eagles could have buyer’s remorse over their three-year, $51.1 million contract with Bryce Huff. “With the New York Jets last season, the defensive end set career highs in sacks (10.5) and pressures (33).” Despite receiving a huge wage increase, he hasn’t improved or even maintained his effectiveness in Philadelphia. Despite playing a limited role, Huff started the season as a starter in Vic Fangio’s defense.
The Eagles may select an edge rusher in the first round.
Given Huff’s lackluster performance, it’s easy to imagine him being traded for an edge rusher in the 2025 NFL draft, where the Eagles will choose with either the 31st or 32nd overall choice. However, there should still be some excellent players left in the first round.
The first 14 choices in 2024 were on the offensive end of the ball, indicating a rush for offensive players in the first round. This implies that a player like Jack Sawyer of Ohio State, who led the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff national title after the 2024 season, may be available late in the first round. Sawyer might be a plug-and-play edge rusher.
