Matt LaFleur and Robert Saleh share a close friendship. LaFleur even brought Saleh in as a consultant with the Green Bay Packers last fall.
All that goes out the window when Saleh puts a San Francisco 49ers hat on.
His Niners defenses provided nothing but misery for LaFleur's offenses in previous matchups, but now Saleh is recruiting ideal Packers targets to his rebuilding pass rush in San Francisco.
Saleh's Niners have traded for Philadelphia Eagles pass-rusher Bryce Huff. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, it will only cost a Day 3 pick. It may seem like a relatively underwhelming move on the surface, but Saleh knows Huff well, having coached him with the New York Jets.
The Packers should still consider adding another pass-rush piece, and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley runs a similar system to Saleh's. This is a missed opportunity.
Packers miss an opportunity to add a talented pass-rusher, who reunites with Robert Saleh
While Huff disappointed in his only season with the Eagles, he thrived in Saleh's system with the Jets. In 2023, Pro Football Focus credited him with 67 pressures and 10 sacks. That's the kind of production worth gambling a Day 3 pick on.
There's undoubtedly some risk for Saleh's Niners. Huff held out of the Eagles' offseason workout program, and their fans have praised Howie Roseman for getting a solid deal.
Perhaps the Packers will look smart for staying out of this potential move, but Saleh knows Huff better than most, and he understands how to get the best out of him.
LaFleur, and more specifically Aaron Rodgers, will remember Huff's performance at Lambeau Field almost three seasons ago. PFF credited him with two quarterback hits on Rodgers that day in a dominant performance by Saleh's Jets defense.
The Packers need to find a veteran pass-rusher to pair with Rashan Gary and give Hafley more options. Maybe a free agent can solve the problem — Jadeveon Clowney?
But in an offseason filled with missed opportunities, this may go down as another. If Huff upgrades the Niners' pass rush, we'll look back at this as another victory for Saleh over LaFleur.