While Huff’s contract didn’t matter much in 2024 since the Eagles still had the NFL’s best defence and got to the Super Bowl, it might matter a lot more in 2025, with Sweat likely out in free agency and veteran Brandon Graham heading elsewhere, if not retiring.
The Eagles might recoup some of that wealth in the form of draft picks if they trade Huff to the Atlanta Falcons, which Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine suggested would be a nice fit for a club in severe need of pass rushers.
“The bottom line here is that the Falcons have to find upgrades on defence,” Ballentine said on February 3. “… Atlanta’s defensive line and secondary continue to be huge concerns. Targeting Bryce Huff could make sense. He’s primarily been a free-agent disappointment in Philadelphia, but he’s produced enough as a pass-rusher to feel he can help revitalize the Falcons’ faltering pass rush.”
The Eagles may be willing to part with Huff and his large salary, even if it means trading him directly for a late-round draft pick.
Eagles Called Out for ‘Regrettable Mistake’ Huff’s contract is worth almost $17 million per season. He was named one of Bleacher Report’s “Most Regrettable Mistakes” by NFL teams in 2024 due to productivity and injury issues.
Huff concluded the regular season with 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble despite missing five games due to wrist surgery. He returned to the active roster in Week 17.
“The Philadelphia Eagles may have buyer’s remorse regarding their three-year, $51.1 million pact with Bryce Huff,” Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton said on December 30. “With the New York Jets last season, the defensive end set career highs in sacks (10.5) and pressures (33).” He received a significant raise, yet his performance in Philadelphia has not improved or even remained consistent. Huff began the season as a starter in Vic Fangio’s defence, but he has featured in a limited capacity.
Eagles might draft an edge rusher in the first round.
Because Huff produced so little, it’s not hard to imagine him being replaced by an edge rusher in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, where there should still be high quality late in the first round, with the Eagles holding either the No. 31 or No. 32 overall pick.
The first 14 picks in the 2024 draft were all offensive players. That means a player like Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer may be available late in the first round; Sawyer could be a plug-and-play edge rusher after leading the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff national championship in 2024.
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