Philadelphia, PA – May 30, 2025
The Eagles made a loud statement this offseason by signing Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51.1 million deal — a move meant to solidify their pass rush and ensure continuity after losing Josh Sweat to Arizona. But just weeks into OTAs, that investment is already raising serious eyebrows, as the star edge rusher has been notably absent from team activities, igniting a storm of speculation across Philadelphia.
Huff’s absence isn’t officially listed as injury-related. Instead, the silence surrounding his no-show has only fueled rumors that something deeper might be brewing. Some insiders whisper about dissatisfaction with his role. Others suggest personal matters. But one thing is clear — Huff’s no-show is a bad look for a team that expects its stars to lead by example.
“You don’t pay a guy $51 million to watch from the sidelines. You expect presence, leadership, dominance — and right now, we’ve got none of that,” one NFC executive anonymously told a national reporter.
The optics are even worse when placed side by side with Josh Sweat, the man Huff was supposed to replace. Sweat, now with the Cardinals, is coming off a monster Super Bowl performance and has been praised by league analysts as one of the most impactful defenders in 2024. Meanwhile, Huff's limited 2024 contributions — paired with this early absence — are raising tough questions about whether the Eagles backed the wrong man.
Still, not everyone inside NovaCare is sounding the alarm just yet. A team official emphasized that it’s still early in the offseason and that Huff is expected to rejoin the squad soon. “We’re aware of the situation and expect it to resolve. Bryce remains a key part of our plans moving forward,” the source stated.
But with younger edge rushers like Nolan Smith Jr. and Azeez Ojulari hungry for bigger roles — and showing up daily — the clock may be ticking on Huff’s margin for error. Fair or not, fans and media alike will scrutinize every snap, every pressure, and every absence.
The Eagles have spent years mastering the cap and building a championship-caliber roster. But $51 million buys more than potential — it demands performance. And if Bryce Huff doesn’t show up soon, literally and figuratively, Philadelphia may already be weighing its next move.
“He got the bag. Now he’s got to show up and earn it,” one fan posted on social media — a sentiment quickly echoed by hundreds.
For now, the Eagles will continue OTAs without their big-money edge rusher. But if this saga drags into training camp, don’t be surprised if Howie Roseman starts working the phones again. After all, no player — not even a $51 million man — is above the Eagles’ ruthless pursuit of winning.
