Set to make his return to Philadelphia for the NFC Wild Card matchup, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Bryce Huff seeks redemption for his short-lived and entirely forgettable tenure as a Philadelphia Eagle.
And according to ESPN National NFL analyst Ben Solak, Huff could make a surprising impact.
"Niners DE Bryce Huff will get a key sack. Huff is the 49ers' best shot at edge pressure, and he has a quick first step that can challenge Eagles LT Jordan Mailata. Huff has been struggling mightily of late, but expect an impassioned performance here."
Bryce Huff's return could hurt Eagles in the worst way
In light of Huff's recent play and the Eagles' imposing pair of tackles he will potentially be squaring off against, though, it's a hot take that could very well fail to come to fruition.
After a promising start donning the red and gold - one that saw him notch four sacks through his first seven games this season - Huff has virtually vanished for a 49ers' pass rush in dire need of edge help.
Already down the services of defensive ends Nick Bosa and first-rounder Mykel Williams, Huff will be called upon plenty for the visitors come the Wild Card game. But how much of an impact can truly be expected?
A two-month absence from the sack column simply doesn't bode well for Huff's prospects to suddenly bring down Hurts in primetime this Sunday, especially amid the matchup issues he will be forced to confront.
Poised to line up at left defensive end against right tackle Lane Johnson (health permitting) or Fred Johnson - both with massive size advantages over the 6-foot-3 255-pound Huff, or on the other edge against the towering Malaita - this could provide an unforgiving flashback to his prior time spent in midnight green.
Flying high when he arrived from the Jets via free agency in 2024, Huff fell flat as an Eagle, with his lone campaign in Philadelphia showing a speed rusher who failed to mesh with Vic Fangio's scheme and underwhelmed from start to finish.
Fresh off a 10-sack mark in New York, Huff would go on to register just 2.5 sacks. A paltry 13 postseason snaps eventually saw Huff not even suit up for Super Bowl LIX, putting the icing on a woeful season that culminated in general manager Howie Roseman dealing him to San Francisco.
While a strong start out West suggested Huff might be able to reclaim his status as a feared pass rusher, the return to Philadelphia could serve as a stark reminder that some players simply aren't cut out to perform in the city of brotherly love.
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And with an impassioned Huff on a quest for redemption, Mailata is eager to greet him at Lincoln Financial Field.
"100%," said Mailata. "Can't wait to see Super Bowl champ Bryce Huff."