Philadelphia, PA – May 29, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles are marching into 2025 as defending Super Bowl champions, but not every key piece is accounted for as spring workouts kick off. Notably absent from Organized Team Activities (OTAs) is one of their biggest investments on defense — edge rusher Bryce Huff, who signed a three-year, $51.1 million deal just a year ago.
After a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw Huff notch only 2.5 sacks — a sharp decline from his breakout 10-sack season with the New York Jets in 2023 — expectations entering this season were sky-high. But with Huff’s no-show at voluntary OTAs, fans are left wondering whether the Eagles’ major financial commitment is about to pay off… or backfire.
“He has the talent, no doubt,” one NFC executive noted. “But the optics here are tough. When you commit $51 million to a pass rusher, you want to see him leading the charge, not sitting it out.”
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has remained tight-lipped, and head coach Nick Sirianni downplayed the absence as “part of the process”, though privately there’s growing concern over Huff’s integration into Vic Fangio’s complex defensive scheme — a system Huff struggled to find rhythm in last year.
While OTAs are technically voluntary, attendance often signals intent. And for a team that lost Josh Sweat to free agency and hasn’t firmly established its edge hierarchy, Huff’s role is more vital than ever. His absence has already opened doors for young guns like Jalyx Hunt and Azeez Ojulari, who are making strong early impressions.
The Eagles’ coaching staff has emphasized competition at every position. But when your top-paid defender doesn’t show up while fighting to redeem a down year, it invites scrutiny — and speculation.
Could this be a calculated holdout? A response to trade whispers? Or merely a veteran taking extra time before mandatory camp? Whatever the reason, Huff’s no-show is now the biggest talking point of Eagles OTAs — and a potential cloud over their title defense.
The Eagles faithful, who once cheered the big signing, are now left asking the $51 million question: Where is Bryce Huff?
