The Philadelphia Eagles were quite active in free agency this offseason as they strive to make a return to the Super Bowl following a tough year in 2023, addressing some roster gaps along the way.
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One area of focus was boosting their pass-rushing prowess, and they successfully secured defensive end Bryce Huff in a lucrative three-year deal worth $51 million. Huff had an impressive season with the New York Jets, tallying 10 sacks.
While Huff excelled at pressuring the quarterback, he struggled to remain a consistent factor on all three downs for the Jets.
The Eagles are aware of this challenge and are working towards helping Huff reach that level. Eagles’ defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, was direct in his assessment of Huff potentially playing on all three downs this season.
“I believe he has the ability to do what we require of him,” said Fangio in a recent statement about transitioning Huff from a pass-rush specialist to an all-around player, acknowledging the ongoing process. “He needs to become accustomed to it. While he may not be ready for it today, I trust he will get there eventually.”
Part of the hurdle for Huff has been his struggles in run defense, a weakness that has hindered his ability to play consistently across all downs.
To meet the Eagles’ expectations, Huff must demonstrate unwavering performance, regardless of the offensive strategy. Philadelphia made a deliberate choice in signing him and is optimistic about his development in their system.
“Consistent progress is key,” echoed Fangio when addressing what Huff must do to become an every-down player. “It’s about instinct. While he possesses the necessary talent, this role is new to him, having not been tested in college or with the Jets. It’s a learning curve, and he must refine his skills.”
Huff secured a solid deal with the Eagles this offseason, but now he faces the challenge of proving his worth on the field. Failure to meet expectations could result in limited playing time, suggesting a misstep in the Eagles’ offseason signing decision.
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