Top star’s trade to the San Francisco 49ers is not just a fresh start—it’s a reunion with a coach who once got the best out of him. His 2023 season under Robert Saleh with the New York Jets marked a career high point, and now, the two are back together in the Bay Area after the 49ers acquired the pass rusher from the Eagles in exchange for a future Day 3 draft pick.
His time in Philadelphia was marred by injuries and underperformance. A wrist issue limited him to just 12 games in 2024, where he recorded only 2.5 sacks and 13 tackles. Despite being part of a Super Bowl 59 roster, Huff was inactive for the big game—an unfortunate end to a season that never found its rhythm.
But now, Huff has a chance to revitalize his career in a familiar system. Saleh knows how to maximize the 26-year-old’s burst off the edge, and Huff clearly appreciates the opportunity to be back with his former DC. Shortly after the trade, Huff posted to Instagram—first with a peace sign photo in Eagles gear, and then a celebratory shot in a Jets uniform, subtly signaling a return to his roots.
For a 49ers team looking to bolster its edge depth and pass rush rotation, Huff offers upside and familiarity with the defensive scheme. And for Huff, this could be the ideal setup to recapture the form that once made him one of the most efficient situational pass rushers in the league.