The Philadelphia Eagles are on the board at the start of free agency, and it’s for one of the biggest free agents on the open market.
Former New York Jets edge rusher Bryce Huff and the Eagles agreed on a three-year contract worth over $51 million, as first reported by Adam Schefter. Huff, 25, could make an average of over $20 each year with the Birds and will hope to improve Philadelphia’s 26th-ranked pass-rushing unit.
Huff could be seen as an upgrade for the Eagles, but what does it mean for their other high-priced pass rushers in Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat?
Long-Term Outlook for Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, and Eagles
Reddick and Sweat are two edge rushers who have recorded over 10 sacks in multiple seasons for the organization, but their time might be running out in the City of Brotherly Love.
Philadelphia has been reportedly shopping both of their edge rushers to the highest bidder in recent weeks. Reddick, 29, was the lone player with over 10 sacks last season but is looking to be paid north of $20 million. Sweat, on the other hand, may only be 26 years old, but he struggled last season and fell off down the stretch.
The signing of Huff will allow general manager Howie Roseman to potentially ship both of their previous edge rushers out of town for draft capital shortly. Philadelphia will be looking to continue to address the pass-rushing position even following the Huff trade.
Could Huff’s signing lower the trade stock of Reddick and Sweat, though? Philadelphia is a defense that wants to send pass rushers in waves, and they are betting on Huff’s high-pressure rate to succeed at a higher clip than the current pass rushers they saw struggle in 2023.
What Deal Means for Bryce Huff
As an undrafted free agent, Huff finally gets the long-term contract he has been searching for as early as last offseason.
The Memphis star had a second-round tendered contract given to him last offseason and seemed to get buried following the contract restructure to Carl Lawson and the selection of Will McDonald in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Things changed quickly, though, throughout the lost season for the Jets.
KEEP READING: Eagles, Saquon Barkley Agree to Three-Year Deal
Huff became New York’s most consistent edge rusher and their first to record over 10 sacks since Calvin Pace in 2012. While he did not receive the kind of snaps that many top defensive players see, his production measures well for a player of his age on a team like the Eagles.
With Vic Fangio running his quarters defense, Huff could be in line to become the next former Jet to hit superstardom in Philly. The last one (Hugh Douglas) ended up becoming a first-team All-Pro.
The Eagles are banking on a similar situation to happen over the next three seasons.
Every move. Every team. Don’t miss a thing with PFN’s NFL Free Agency Tracker.