At just 27 years old, pass rusher Bryce Huff has retired from the NFL. He is now launching his own business.
Defensive end Bryce Huff is ending his NFL career surprisingly early. The 27-year-old announced his retirement on Thursday—and at the same time is launching a company specializing in fighting fires caused by lithium-ion batteries.

Huff played six seasons in the NFL. He started in 2020 as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets, moved to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 on a three-year, $51 million contract, and won Super Bowl LIX with them. However, due to injuries, he did not play in the championship game.

In the following offseason, the Eagles traded him to the San Francisco 49ers. In his final season in 2025, Huff recorded 30 tackles, six tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles for the Niners. Overall, he played in 81 games (21 starts) during his career and earned approximately $40.5 million. He was still under contract for the 2026 season. B Bryce Huff Retires: “I Can Give the World More Than Football”B
In a video announcement on Instagram, Huff explained his unusual decision: “It’s time for the next chapter of my life. I’m founding a company called Naberstone. Lithium-ion batteries power the modern world, but they pose a fire risk that current firefighting technology was never designed to handle. We’re building safety infrastructure specifically for this problem: proprietary suppression systems, advanced detection technology, and containment designed specifically for lithium-ion battery incidents.”

He continued: “This mission will save lives and protect critical infrastructure as battery technology continues to grow. I can’t ask the people who believe in this mission to give their all if I’m not willing to do the same myself. Football has given me everything—now it’s time for me to give everything to something new.”
Huff added that a wrist injury had given him pause:

“Early in my career, I let things affect my work. When I finally cleared my head, I tore a ligament in my wrist. That injury forced me to step back and truly assess what matters in life. […] At 27, I know I can give the world more than just football. The game has taught me perseverance, discipline, leadership, and the ability to find a way when everything seems impossible.”

The company’s co-founder is Huff’s older brother, Jordan. The 49ers confirmed receipt of the retirement notice and thanked Huff for his contributions last season.

His departure leaves a gap on the Niners’ defensive line. On the same day, the California-based team signed linebacker Dre Greenlaw to a one-year, $7.5 million contract.