Eagles Coach Claps Back at Bryce Huff’s Ego

Philadelphia, PA - April 21, 2025 - A brewing clash within the Philadelphia Eagles’ locker room has thrust head coach Nick Sirianni and edge rusher Bryce Huff into the spotlight, with Sirianni publicly addressing Huff’s attitude amid mounting trade rumors. The Eagles, fresh off their Super Bowl LIX triumph, are poised to move on from the underperforming veteran to clear the way for a youth-driven pass rush in the 2025 NFL Draft, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Huff, signed to a three-year, $51.1 million contract in March 2024, was expected to anchor Philadelphia’s edge alongside Josh Sweat. Instead, he managed just 2 sacks and 23 pressures across 298 snaps in 14 games, hampered by a wrist injury and eclipsed by rookie Jalyx Hunt. His PFF pass-rush grade of 86.8 was overshadowed by a dismal 55.2 run-defense grade, culminating in a healthy scratch during the Super Bowl. Huff’s vocal frustration, aired on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, criticized the Eagles’ defensive scheme and his limited role, prompting a sharp response from Sirianni.

“Bryce needs to focus on the team, not his ego,” Sirianni said at the NFL Annual League Meetings. “We’re building something special, and everyone’s got to buy in.” The coach’s comments signal a rift, with sources indicating Huff’s attitude clashed with the Eagles’ “selfless” culture, championed by stars like Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley.

With a $16.75 million cap hit in 2025, Huff’s contract is a financial burden for a team with $60 million in cap space. GM Howie Roseman, renowned for bold roster moves, is reportedly exploring a trade, potentially to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2025 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2026 pick, per Heavy.com. The move would free up funds and draft capital to target an edge rusher like Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College, 16.5 sacks in 2024) or Josaiah Stewart (Michigan, 9 sacks) with pick No. 32 or a traded-up selection.

The Eagles’ edge group, led by Nolan Smith (6.5 sacks) and Travon Walker (10 sacks), is solid but lacks depth after losing Sweat and Brandon Graham. Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche, on one-year deals, are stopgaps. “We need hungry, team-first players,” Roseman said. Drafting a young pass rusher aligns with Philadelphia’s trenches-first philosophy, seen in recent signings like Ndamukong Suh.

As the April 24 draft nears, trading Huff could mark a turning point, ensuring the Eagles’ No. 1 defense (17.8 points allowed per game) remains relentless under Vic Fangio’s vision.