When the Philadelphia Eagles started to shift more playing time to rookie defensive end Jalyx Hunt over the high-priced Bryce Huff, eyebrows across the league were raised. Huff, who inked a lucrative three-year, $51 million contract with the Eagles this offseason, had been expected to be a key piece in Philly’s defensive line rotation after a standout 2023 season with the New York Jets. But his drop-off in production this season has been puzzling—until now.
On November 20, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni provided clarity on the situation, revealing that Huff is dealing with a wrist injury that will require surgery. As a result, Huff will be sidelined until late in the regular season. With the Eagles sitting at 8-2 and riding a six-game winning streak heading into their Sunday Night Football showdown with the Los Angeles Rams, this news adds another layer of uncertainty to their defensive front.
The Struggles of Bryce Huff in 2024
Huff, who posted a career-high 10 sacks for the Jets last season, has struggled to replicate that success in Philadelphia. Through 10 games in 2024, he has recorded just 2.5 sacks and four quarterback hits, a far cry from the dominant force he was a year ago. His playing time has steadily decreased, averaging just 11 snaps per game over the past three weeks, compared to 28 snaps per game in the first seven games of the season.
Huff has been dealing with a wrist issue for the past few weeks and has been playing with a cast, which likely contributed to his reduced role on the field. ESPN’s Tim McManus reported that Huff’s disappointing performance led to Hunt, a rookie on a much more modest contract, seeing more snaps in his place as the season progressed.
The Big Investment in Huff
The Eagles’ decision to sign Huff was based on his stellar 2023 campaign with the Jets, where he led the NFL with a 21.8% pressure rate (minimum 250 pass rushes) according to Next Gen Stats. Huff’s ability to consistently disrupt quarterbacks had created high expectations for him in Philly. However, those expectations have yet to be met, leading to concerns about the return on investment for his sizable contract.
Beth Mishler-Elmore of Heavy.com noted that Huff’s struggles have opened the door for Hunt to take on more responsibility, despite being in the first year of his rookie contract. With Huff’s decline in production, the Eagles are left to wonder if they can get the same type of impact they paid for once Huff is healthy again.
Huff’s Potential Impact in the Postseason
Despite his struggles in the regular season, there’s still reason to believe Huff can have a major impact when it matters most. The Eagles, who are once again among the NFC’s elite teams, look poised for a deep postseason run. If Huff can recover from his wrist surgery and return to full strength, he could become a game-changer in the playoffs.
What works in Huff’s favor is his relatively clean injury history. Outside of a back injury in 2021 that caused him to miss eight games, Huff has been largely healthy throughout his career. If his wrist injury is the only major setback, there’s optimism that he can regain his form by the time the postseason rolls around.
Looking Ahead for the Eagles
The Eagles have built a Super Bowl-caliber team, and they will need Huff at his best if they are to make a legitimate title run. As the regular season nears its end, the pressure will be on Huff to return to the dominant edge rusher that earned him his contract. With the team’s defense already one of the league’s most formidable, adding a healthy, motivated Huff could push them over the top in their quest for another NFC Championship and a potential Super Bowl appearance.
For now, the Eagles will rely on their depth and the continued development of young players like Hunt, but if Huff can recover quickly from surgery, there’s still plenty of reason to believe he can be a key part of the team’s championship aspirations in the postseason.
