Super Bowl champion Bryce Huff retires from NFL at 27

The 49ers defensive end is leaving football to focus on his lithium battery company.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 5:40pm by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Bryce Huff announced his retirement from the NFL after six seasons. Huff, 27, was a key part of the 49ers' defense in 2025, finishing tied for first in sacks with four. However, he failed to record a sack in his final 10 games. Huff said he's retiring to focus on his lithium battery company, whose goal is to suppress fire risk.

Why it matters

Huff's retirement at a relatively young age is notable, as he was a productive player who just won the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. His decision to leave football to pursue other entrepreneurial interests highlights the short careers many NFL players face and the desire of some to explore opportunities beyond the sport.

The details

Huff joined the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2020 out of Memphis. He spent four seasons with the Jets, recording 65 tackles and 17.5 sacks. Huff then signed with the Eagles in 2024, playing 12 games and being part of their Super Bowl-winning team. The 49ers acquired Huff in a trade last offseason, and he was a key part of their defense in 2025 before his production dropped off late in the season.

  • Huff announced his retirement on March 15, 2026.
  • Huff joined the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
  • Huff spent four seasons with the Jets from 2020 to 2023.
  • Huff signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 and won the Super Bowl that year.
  • The 49ers acquired Huff in a trade last offseason, prior to the 2025 season.

The players

Bryce Huff

A 27-year-old defensive end who announced his retirement from the NFL after six seasons, the last of which was spent with the San Francisco 49ers.

New York Jets

The NFL team that signed Huff as an undrafted free agent in 2020, where he spent the first four seasons of his career.

Philadelphia Eagles

The NFL team that Huff signed with in 2024 and won the Super Bowl with that year.

San Francisco 49ers

The NFL team that acquired Huff in a trade last offseason and he played for in 2025 before announcing his retirement.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm retiring from football. I started playing football when I was four years old. Growing up, I wasn't the biggest or the strongest, and I didn't have any friends. All I really had was the game, football kept me grounded.”

— Bryce Huff (Instagram)

“I entered the NFL with a chip on my shoulder, and so I signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent. Thanks to coach Gregg Williams and Blake Williams, I earned a roster spot my first year. I spent countless hours learning everything I could about the game. When coach Saleh arrived my second year, he and his staff helped me become the best version of myself. My four years in New York will always mean a lot to me. That locker room built me. During that time, I earned a contract that made me the highest paid undrafted non-QB in NFL history. I spent a year in Philadelphia where we won a Super Bowl.”

— Bryce Huff (Instagram)

What’s next

Huff said he's focusing on his lithium battery company whose goal is to suppress their fire risk.

The takeaway

Huff's retirement at 27 highlights the short careers many NFL players face and the desire of some to explore opportunities beyond the sport, even after achieving success like winning a Super Bowl.