Bryce Huff’s Trade: Scheme Fit Matters More Than Saleh Reunion
The San Francisco 49ers are finalizing a trade to acquire Bryce Huff from the Philadelphia Eagles, and while the headlines may focus on his reunion with Robert Saleh, the real story is about scheme fit. Huff thrived in a 4-3 defense with the Jets, notching 10 sacks and 21 QB hits in 2023. But after signing with Philadelphia and shifting into a 3-4, his production nosedived—just 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in an injury-riddled 2024 season.
This isn’t new territory. Players like Dante Fowler Jr. and Tank Carradine have struggled with similar scheme misfits. Huff, an explosive edge rusher who wins with burst and leverage, was asked to play a different game in Philadelphia—more read-and-react, less attack. It didn’t work.
Now, returning to a 4-3 scheme in San Francisco, Huff has a chance to rediscover his disruptive edge. Yes, linking up again with Saleh—his former Jets coach—adds familiarity and trust. But this move is less about a reunion and more about returning to a system that maximizes his strengths.
Huff isn’t washed. He was miscast. And while Saleh’s presence is a bonus, it’s the scheme shift that gives this trade real upside. If Huff bounces back, it won’t be because of nostalgia—it’ll be because the 49ers put him back in a role he’s built to play.
