Jets' Defensive End Sees Snap Count Rise, Salary Will Likely Follow
Bryce Huff is letting his performance do the talking.
The New York Jets signed the restricted free agent to a second-round tender this past March, but a long-term agreement has not yet been a topic of discussion between the highly-effective defensive end and team brass.
"No, they [contract talks] haven't [started]. But I'm just gonna continue to work and continue to help the team win," said Huff on Wednesday ahead of the Jets' Week 8 matchup against the New York Giants.
Huff is playing on the RFA tender worth $4.304 million this year. As an unrestricted free agent, his services could command a salary somewhere in the area of $15 million annually. For example, the Jets signed Carl Lawson to a three-year, $45 million deal in 2021.
Meanwhile, Huff is on a heater that dates back to the 2022 season.
The rotational edge rusher leads the NFL in pressure rate according to NextGenStats. Since the start of last year, Huff has affected the opposing quarterback on 25.7 percent of pass rush attempts. No other player (minimum 250 pass rushes) has accounted for a pressure rate greater than 22.0 percent over the past two seasons.
Initially used as a situational pass rusher, Huff's snap count has increased in recent games and the defensive end's production justifies the bump. Logging a season-high 35 reps in the Week 6 win over Philadelphia, the former undrafted free agent recorded 1.5 sacks and nine pressures on 28 pass rush opportunities.
"Just having those opportunities available for me to go out there and show what I can do," said Huff. "I'm always gonna take the opportunity to just put my best foot forward every time so it's really cool."
Despite playing less than 35 percent of defensive snaps, Huff is tied for the team lead in quarterback hits (8) with starter John Franklin-Myers this season. During the 2022 campaign, he was deployed for only 20 percent of plays.
The 25-year-old Huff has garnered noteworthy public support, from both inside and outside of the fan base, throughout the season.
Jets' starting left tackle Mekhi Becton endorsed his teammate by posting on the social media site formerly known as Twitter. In a simple message that was timestamped at 2:28 pm ET on October 21, Becton said "#ExtendHuff."
A few days earlier, former NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt mentioned Huff's name when asked about the Jets' defensive prowess during a guest appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
"I love Bryce Huff," said Watt unsolicited. "That's a guy that's been getting back there, making a lot of things happen and maybe not getting as much time as he deserves comparative to the rest of the guys."
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