New Contract Details For Jets' Dynamic Pass Rusher?
Bryce Huff has been one of the New York Jets' largest success stories when it comes to developing undrafted talent.
Now comes the hard part:
Coming to terms on a contract extension worthy of a productive edge rusher.
New York Jets DE Bryce Huff
Cred: The Athletic
New York decided to allow Huff to enter the final year of his rookie contract during the 2022 offseason and watched the Memphis star record 10 sacks during the 2023 campaign. By all major pass-rushing metrics, Huff could get after the quarterback at one of the highest clips in football.
Despite registering 10 sacks in his fourth season, it's difficult to gauge what a contract extension or even a new deal in free agency would look like for a player of Huff's age and status.
Rich Cimini of ESPN has stated previously that Huff would be looking for an annual value of $20 million - a valuation that would move him into the top 10 at his position.
At just 25 years old, though, there's a good chance that Huff may be pricing himself out of a nice deal to both stay in New York or get a strong long-term deal.
Spotrac values Huff's next deal at close to $10 million with a contract along the lines of four years and $44 million. While the Jets' leading sack tallier may be overpricing himself, there's still room for New York to give a homegrown player a little extra to stay with the team.
Probably the more likely scenario for the Jets to reach a long-term extension with Huff is the deal that sent Haason Reddick to Philadelphia in 2022. Reddick's three-year, $45 million for a player with 10+ sacks in two straight seasons, was a great value for the pure edge rusher.
While Huff is still younger than Reddick was when he got his deal with the Eagles, Reddick was more productive as a pass rusher. Both players are solid against the run but have made their mark as play-making pass rushers.
Philadelphia's contract to Reddick could be exactly where the Jets and Huff could meet as part of a middle ground for both sides.
The other part of all this is that there may not be a team in the NFL that gives Huff the kind of lucrative contract he wants. If Huff were to become a free agent and his market isn't as robust, it could dwindle his price enough that the Jets could logically come to terms on a long-term extension.
It's in New York's best interest to keep a player that has been a part of their organizational plan for a while now. Keeping Huff at the right price, though, will be the biggest mountain to climb.
