Bryce Huff Signs Record-Breaking Deal With Eagles

Defensive end Bryce Huff has signed a three-year $51.1 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Huff previously spent the beginning of his career with the New York Jets, but his new contract is a big step up from the $4.3 million he made last year as a restricted free agent. Huff’s deal worth up to $17 million a year with the Eagles makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback undrafted free agent in league history.

In his first three seasons with the Jets coming as an undrafted free agent from the University of Memphis, Huff only recorded 7.5 sacks. Last season, however, is where things started to change and the 26-year-old made a name for himself. In 2023, Huff led the NFL in pressure percentage at 21.8%, as well as racking up 10 total sacks and 68 quarterback pressures, proving himself as one of the NFL’s best edge rushers. He also had the sixth-highest sack rate last year, reaching quarterbacks 3.2% of the time.

“The memories I made in MetLife and in the city of New York will be cherished forever,” Huff said in a post on X. “The constant words of encouragement from fans from the day I signed as an undrafted free agent to my last snap as a Jet kept me going through the good and bad times. … It’s been fun.”

Huff never started a game for the Jets last year but was able to reach a career-high 480 defensive snaps played. On a team that held a limited defensive rotation, there were limited opportunities for players like Huff. New York had the opportunity to sign the defensive end to a long-term contract in 2022 but chose instead to give him a one-year deal. Though it was a good deal for his production last season, the Jets could have kept Huff for a lower amount going forward, but that was before his breakout season.

Instead, he goes to Philadelphia, who have been one of the most active teams in free agency so far. Along with signing Huff, the Eagles have also brought in New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. In a season last year that many would call an underperformance after their trip to the Super Bowl in 2022, the Eagles seem to be serious about making a deep playoff run this year.

Article by Eli Gregorski