"Robert Saleh's going to be extremely happy": Ian Rapoport weighs in on 49ers trading for Eagles' Bryce Huff

Prior to the start of the 2024 season, defensive end Bryce Huff was one of the top free agents available. As a result, he signed a three-year, $51 million contract last offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, the 2024 season was a disaster for Huff as he dealt with various injuries and saw himself fall down the Eagles depth chart as the year progressed.

On Friday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter broke the major news that Huff had been traded from the Eagles to the San Francisco 49ers, only one year after signing the big contract.

On the Pat McAfee Show on Friday, Ian Rapoport made clear that he thought that the move was one that new San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh would love, despite the disappointing season last year for Huff.

"They [Philadelphia Eagles] paid a lot of money for him [Bryce Huff] last year in free agency, did not work out," Rapoport said ... "But if you're the 49ers, it's a player who's got talent, who obviously, again, was a big ticket free agent item a year ago.

"He's healthy now. ... And just knowing Saleh's thoughts and views on Bryce Huff, this is a player he really, really, really liked. And I know, I'm sure he's going to be extremely happy right now."

Robert Saleh's NFL journey

Robert Saleh has had an up-and-down last few seasons in the NFL.

He served as the defensive coordinator of the 49ers between 2017 and 2020, before getting a head coaching role with the New York Jets. However, he was fired midseason last year after the Aaron Rodgers Jets experiment did not work out. He then returned as the DC of the 49ers this offseason.

Saleh coached Bryce Huff while in New York, with the latter being a dominant defensive force for the Jets. In 2023, Huff had 29 total tackles, 19 solo tackles and ten sacks for the Jets. As a result, despite last season's disappointment in Philadelphia, Saleh has good reason to be excited about reuniting with Huff this year.