Eagles Expected to Move On From Underperforming $51 Million Edge Rusher
There are times a team performs so well that even its biggest mistakes seem to fade into the background.
That’s exactly what happened with the Philadelphia Eagles defense in 2024. They dominated all season and crushed the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX, leading 34-0 at one point.
Their defensive success masked one of the worst free-agent signings of the 2024 cycle. The Eagles gave edge rusher Bryce Huff a 3-year, $51.1 million deal, only to watch him deliver just 2.5 sacks across 12 games.
Huff’s lackluster season has prompted Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox to predict a possible split in 2025—especially if the Eagles can’t find a trade partner willing to take on Huff’s $17.25 million salary. Knox wrote on May 19, “The Philadelphia Eagles made several brilliant moves last offseason, but they may have whiffed on pass-rusher Bryce Huff. A year after tallying 10 sacks for the Jets, he logged just 2.5 for the Eagles. This offseason, Philly added Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari before drafting Antwaun Powell-Ryland. Cutting Huff would cost the Eagles $29.3 million in dead cap but could open up reps for players who may contribute on a more consistent basis.”
With general managers often making risky calls, convincing any team to absorb Huff’s contract now looks like a long shot.
The Eagles took a gamble on Huff in 2024 while letting go of veteran pass rusher Josh Sweat. Sweat played on a 1-year, $10 million deal and turned in a career-best season. He signed a 4-year, $76.4 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals on March 10.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport named the Cardinals’ acquisition of Sweat one of the smartest moves of the 2025 offseason.
“I want to be seen as the guy who can make a difference,” Sweat told NFL.com’s Nick Shook. “I really haven’t had, I won’t say the opportunity, but we’ve been very talented over (in Philly). Here I can definitely show, with an ascending team, how I’m helping. I’m excited, dog.”
The Eagles could still unload Huff by sweetening the deal for a pass-rush-needy team.
To make a trade work, Philadelphia might offer Huff along with $5 million of his 2025 salary in exchange for a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick.
Huff missed five games following wrist surgery, but his performance had already raised concerns. In March, X user Eagles Eric shared a video showing Huff confused during a regular-season game.
“Here’s Jalen Carter trying to communicate some kind of pass rush plan with Bryce Huff and getting visibly upset with him,” Eagles Eric posted. “This was the last game Bryce Huff got significant snaps before his wrist surgery.”
