Santa Clara, CA – June 4, 2025
When the San Francisco 49ers pulled off the quiet acquisition of edge rusher Bryce Huff from the Eagles, it didn’t exactly dominate headlines. But if you’ve followed the Kris Kocurek blueprint closely, you know this might be the beginning of something terrifying — for opposing quarterbacks.
Huff, once a breakout star with the Jets, racked up 10 sacks and a staggering 21.8% pressure rate in 2023 — the highest in the league. His first step was lethal, his motor relentless. Yet a 2024 stint with the Eagles, marred by scheme fit issues and inconsistent usage in a 3-4 defense, left him looking like a forgotten piece. That’s exactly the kind of player Kocurek specializes in turning into a weapon.
"He doesn’t just want fast guys," one former 49ers defender said of Kocurek. "He wants guys with something to prove. That’s where he does his best work."
And Kocurek’s resume speaks for itself. Under his watch, pass rushers like Arden Key, Samson Ebukam, and Charles Omenihu resurrected their careers, cashing in on free agency after breakout seasons in Kocurek’s Wide-9 system. The formula is simple: raw speed off the edge, full-go aggression, and a system that lets players explode without overthinking.
That’s where Huff comes in.
In San Francisco, he’ll be freed from the rigid roles of a 3-4 outside linebacker and allowed to do what he does best — attack. Lined up opposite Nick Bosa, Huff won’t face constant double-teams. And with Javon Hargrave and Mykel Williams adding interior heat, the opportunities for Huff to finish plays will be plentiful.
"This is about maximizing upside for pennies on the dollar," said a league scout. "If Kocurek unleashes him, we might be looking at the best edge duo in football."
For a 49ers team that just committed big money to Brock Purdy and is seeking cap-conscious impact moves, Huff could be a home-run. He’s hungry, underrated, and now under the tutelage of one of the league’s most feared defensive line coaches.
If history is any indicator, the rest of the NFC might soon be asking the same question:
How did San Francisco steal another monster?
