Philadelphia, PA – June 1, 2025
The headlines said “cap management.” The analysts said “system fit.” But for fans watching closely, there may be a more uncomfortable truth behind Bryce Huff’s sudden exit from Philadelphia: was he dodging the competition?
When the Eagles inked Huff to a 3-year, $51.1 million deal in March, the move was hailed as a major investment in their pass rush. But only months later, the former Jets standout has been traded to the San Francisco 49ers in a move that’s left fans scratching their heads. The timing couldn’t be more revealing—just as second-year edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. has begun turning heads in OTAs.
"He’s flying around like a guy who knows the job is his to lose," one NFC scout told Inside the Iggles, referencing Smith’s explosiveness and command of Vic Fangio’s defense. Smith, entering Year 2, has already drawn comparisons to veteran leaders like Haason Reddick with his work ethic and positional versatility.
PFF reports suggest that Smith is consistently disrupting plays in practice and showcasing the edge-bending speed that made him a first-round pick out of Georgia. With veterans like Josh Sweat gone and Bryce Huff underperforming in the Eagles’ complex scheme, the writing may have been on the wall.
Even longtime team insider Dave Spadaro hinted at the dynamic: “The Eagles aren’t afraid to pivot quickly if they see a younger player seizing the moment. Nolan Smith has earned every first-team rep this spring.”
It’s easy to view the Huff trade as a strategic reshuffling. But fans online have been whispering another narrative: that Huff may have seen the surge coming — and preferred a fresh start in a defense he’s more comfortable with under 49ers coach Robert Saleh, who coached him during his breakout with the Jets.
Whether it was about money, fit, or the shadow of a rising star, the Eagles' decision to ship out a $51 million pass rusher just months after signing him speaks volumes.
One-line takeaway: Nolan Smith Jr. may not have spoken a word — but his rise said everything Huff needed to hear.
