Bryce Huff and the 49ers: A Productive Stopgap or a Cap Casualty in Waiting?
When the 49ers made a low-risk move to bring in edge rusher Bryce Huff from the Eagles last offseason, it was a calculated gamble. San Francisco sent a conditional Day 3 pick to Philadelphia, hoping a change of scenery-and a reunion with former Jets defensive coordinator Robert Saleh-could help Huff rediscover the edge-rushing spark that once made him a 10-sack breakout in New York.
Fast forward a season, and the results are... complicated.
Let’s start with the good: Huff led the 49ers in sacks this season with four. Now, four sacks isn’t exactly lighting up the stat sheet, but in the context of San Francisco’s pass rush struggles-only 20 sacks as a team, dead last in the league-it’s not nothing. Huff stepped into a tough spot after Nick Bosa went down with a torn ACL in Week 3, and while the production wasn’t eye-popping, he helped stabilize a unit that was suddenly without its All-Pro anchor.
With Bosa expected back healthy next season-and Mykel Williams also returning from his own ACL injury-the 49ers’ defensive line rotation should get a much-needed boost. But that also brings up a bigger question: is there still a role for Huff in this group?
The Bryce Huff Conundrum
There are a few key factors shaping Huff’s uncertain future in San Francisco.
First, Saleh-the coach who knew Huff best-is no longer in the building. He’s now the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, which likely ends any chance of Huff earning a bigger role based on that prior connection. Whoever takes over as defensive coordinator will have to evaluate Huff strictly on what he put on tape this season-and that tape is a mixed bag.
Huff is due to earn up to $5.39 million in 2026, but none of that money is guaranteed. He’s also scheduled to receive a $1 million roster bonus on March 13, which effectively serves as a decision deadline for the front office. Do they pay the bonus and keep him in the fold, or cut ties and free up cap space?
According to Over the Cap, Huff’s 2025 performance was worth $7.39 million in value, meaning his current deal could be seen as a relative bargain. But the 49ers have to weigh that value against his limitations-most notably, his struggles against the run.
San Francisco made a clear push last offseason to improve their run defense, and Huff doesn’t exactly fit that mold. He’s a situational pass-rusher, best suited for third-down packages where he can pin his ears back and get after the quarterback.
That’s a useful skillset, especially with Bosa drawing double teams on the opposite edge. But it’s also a specialized one, and the Niners have to decide whether they want to allocate $5 million-plus to a player who likely won’t be on the field for early downs.
A Tough Decision on the Horizon
This isn’t a cut-and-dry situation. There’s a case to be made for keeping Huff around as a rotational pass-rusher, especially if he can thrive in a more limited role with Bosa back in the lineup. The price tag, while not insignificant, isn’t outrageous for a player who led the team in sacks-even in a down year.
But there’s also a strong argument for moving on. Releasing Huff would free up $5.39 million in cap space, which could be used to target a more complete edge defender-someone who can contribute against both the run and the pass. With Saleh gone and a new defensive staff coming in, Huff's standing in the pecking order is far from secure.
Ultimately, this decision will come down to how the 49ers want to shape their defensive identity moving forward. If they see Huff as a valuable specialist who can thrive in a more defined role, he might stick around. If they’re looking for every-down contributors who can hold their own in the trenches, his time in the Bay might be up.
One thing's clear: the clock is ticking, and the 49ers have some tough calls to make.