The Philadelphia Eagles intend to chase former New York Jet and project $18 million pass rusher, Bruce Huff. The Athletic reports that the Eagles want to pursue the linebacker hard. After Huff recorded a career-high 10 sacks in the previous season, the Jets chose not to apply the franchise tag to him. Huff, a 2020 University of Memphis graduate, inked a free agent contract with the Jets.
Over the course of four seasons, the Memphis product has racked up 17.5 sacks and 65 tackles, including 29 total tackles (19 of which were solo) in 2023. The Eagles have been shopping both Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick throughout their own hectic offseason. Every indication is that Huff could soon be an Eagle since Philadelphia needs to add a pass rusher this coming week in free agency. A source claims that Huff may agree to a three-year contract paying approximately $15 million year, with over $30 million guaranteed.
The league is abuzz with talk, and the Los Angeles Chargers are willing to trade Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. In a future contract, Huff would not be paid nearly as much as those two players, nor as much as T.J. Watt and Nick Bosa. He would, however, be traveling to a possible opponent who would want defensive support. The Eagles should be the first team on the phone when the tampering period starts on Monday.
Now, the Jets’ chances of re-signing Huff to a new deal are little to none. There are far too many potential suitors that may entice a free agent with enormous deals. On all three downs, Huff topped the Jets in pressure %.
Philadelphia Eagles intend to pursue a pass rusher for $18 million. Bryce Huf
Why It’s Likely the Jets Won’t Resign Huff?
The Jets’ willingness to part with one of the top pass rushers in the NFL is the greatest story coming out of this. It’s still debatable because Huff is still one of the most important and reliable players on the pitch. Some are claiming that the Jets don’t consider him a three-down edge rusher, according to a source. There was an increase in the use of his services this season, despite the Jets not seeming to be employing him in the way they intended him to.
Talking heads are still perplexed as to why Huff is freely entering the free-agent market. But it appears the Jets won’t provide a big extension to a player who will only play 42% of the defensive snaps like he did the previous season. It seems likely that New York did not intend to keep Huff, as they selected Will McDonald and Jermaine Johnson in the first round in back-to-back years.
For the duration of his rookie deal, they most likely want to give McDonald a chance to start. Huff wasn’t part of the long-term plan, as it appears the Jets trust Robert Saleh to develop defensive talent regularly.
Additional Fits for the Team
There will be other candidates who are interested, even though the Eagles are chasing Huff aggressively. The Washington Commanders are reportedly another NFC East squad that might be considering Huff’s services. Given that other teams acquired Chase Young and Sweat in trades during the previous season, this could make sense. But there is one team to be wary of: the Los Angeles Chargers.
Given that there are reports that the Chargers are willing to trade Mack and Joey Bosa, they could want to focus on a pass rusher. If that’s the case, then the next phase of the Jim Harbaugh era will begin with finding their next linebacker.
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