49ers DE Bryce Huff Retires at 27 to Focus on Battery Safety Startup

Huff made $40 million in 6 NFL seasons before leaving football to co-found Naberstone, a firm aiming to prevent lithium-ion battery fires.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:12pm by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Bryce Huff, 27, announced his retirement from the NFL after 6 seasons, citing his desire to focus on a new business venture with his brother. Huff, who made $40.5 million during his career, said he co-founded a company called Naberstone that aims to address the fire risks posed by lithium-ion batteries. Huff's early retirement follows that of another 27-year-old NFL star, Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman, who walked away from the game two weeks ago.

Why it matters

Huff's decision to retire in his 20s after a successful NFL career highlights a growing trend of young players walking away from the game at their peak, often citing factors beyond just physical health concerns. This raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the NFL's business model and the league's ability to retain top talent.

The details

Huff, an undrafted free agent who played college football at Memphis, spent 6 seasons in the NFL, the last 2 with the 49ers. He made $40.5 million during his career, according to OverTheCap. Huff said he co-founded Naberstone, a company focused on preventing dangerous lithium-ion battery fires, and felt he needed to commit fully to that mission rather than continue playing football.

  • Huff announced his retirement on March 13, 2026.
  • Huff played his last NFL season with the 49ers in 2025.

The players

Bryce Huff

A 27-year-old former defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers who announced his retirement from the NFL to focus on a new business venture.

Drew Dalman

A 27-year-old former center for the Chicago Bears who also recently retired from the NFL, leaving two years remaining on his contract.

Jordan Huff

Bryce Huff's brother, with whom he co-founded the battery safety startup Naberstone.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's time for the next chapter of my life. Lithium-ion batteries power the modern world but they carry a fire risk that current suppression technology was never designed to solve. We're building safety infrastructure specifically for that problem. This mission will save lives and protect critical infrastructure as battery technology continues to scale. I can't ask the people who believe in this mission to go all in if I'm not willing to do the same.”

— Bryce Huff (Instagram)

What’s next

Huff's new company, Naberstone, will continue developing its technology and solutions to address the fire risks posed by lithium-ion batteries as their use continues to grow.

The takeaway

Huff's decision to retire at 27 to focus on a new entrepreneurial venture highlights the growing trend of young NFL players walking away from the game at their peak, driven by factors beyond just physical health concerns. This raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the league's business model and its ability to retain top talent.