Zack Baun may be one of the Philadelphia Eagles' best signings by Howie Roseman over the past several seasons.
After their 31-0 victory over the Raiders, Baun has put himself in elite status for linebackers in the 2025 season. After picking off former teammate Kenny Pickett, Baun now has set career highs in takeaways (three) and interceptions (three), cementing himself as the only NFL player with 100+ tackles, three plus sacks, and three plus takeaways.
Baun continues to shine bright for Eagles in 2025
After signing a one-year deal worth $3.5 million in 2024, which saw him earn Pro Bowl honors, and an All-Pro honor, which saw Roseman reward the 2020 third-round pick with an incentive-laden three-year, $51,000,000 contract including a $15,580,000 signing bonus, and $34,000,000 guaranteed through 2027.
14 games into year one of his extension, Baun hasn't disappointed. He's totaled 108 tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, two interceptions, and one forced fumble so far in 2025 and is on his way to possibly earning another Pro Bowl ($250,000 bonus), along with another first-team All-Pro ($500,000 bonus).
Besides the personal accomplishments, Baun has clearly been one of the leaders on the Eagles' defense, earning top-five grades per Pro Football Focus. He's also been able to remain healthy enough to appear in 99% of the defensive snaps this season.
Baun's tenacity and leadership have been a consistent calming force for the Eagles, especially as the team goes into the crucial final three games of the season. Baun, during his post-game interview, mentioned that the Eagles were "ramping up" at the right time during the late-December push, especially without Jalen Carter.
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As Baun and the Eagles prepare for their Week 16 matchup against the Washington Commanders, the team sits in the number three spot in the NFC playoff picture with a 9-5 record. For Baun, despite all the "extra noise" the Eagles dealt with throughout the 2025 season, his elite play has been exactly what the Eagles have needed as Philadelphia hopes to repeat.