Defensive end Bryce Huff reached a three-year, $51.1 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and will become the highest-paid non-quarterback undrafted free agent in NFL history, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.
Huff went from an undrafted college free agent (2020) to one of the most effective edge rushers in the NFL -- one of the New York Jets' best player development success stories in recent years.
In 2023, he led the Jets with a career-high 10 sacks and recorded 68 quarterback pressures in 312 pass rushes -- a league-leading 21.8% pressure percentage, according to Next Gen Stats (minimum: 300 rushes). It was quite a jump for Huff, who had only 7.5 sacks in his first three seasons combined.
"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."
Known for his lightning-quick get-off, Huff (6-foot-3, 255 pounds) provided consistent disruption, mainly from the left-end position. He improved as a run defender, resulting in increased usage on first and second down. In the end, he played 480 defensive snaps, a career high. He didn't start a single game.
Huff, who turns 26 on April 17, said at the end of the season that his goal was to be an every-down player and that his desire to do so would be a factor in his decision. To keep players fresh, the Jets use an eight-man rotation, limiting opportunities for their defensive linemen. He might be one of the leading sack artists in the league with increased playing time, based on his sack rate (3.2%), which ranked sixth.
Instead of signing him to a long-term deal last year, the Jets gave Huff a second-round tender as a restricted free agent ($4.3 million) and let him play the season for that amount.
ESPN's Rich Cimini contributed to this report.