Before last season, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun was just a career backup. Now he's one of the highest-paid linebackers in the NFL and is no longer a secret.
ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler returned with the NFL personnel's rankings of the top off-ball linebackers in the league. After not being mentioned last year, Baun finds himself ranked number three on the list.
"Baun is emblematic of what's great about the NFL: a role player making $3.5 million one year can earn a $51 million deal the next, thanks to an unexpected star turn.
Opportunity met untapped talent when Baun joined Philadelphia as an unrestricted free agent in 2024. Vic Fangio's scheme was ideal for Baun, once a rotational linebacker in New Orleans who earned All-Pro honors thanks to 151 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 11 tackles for loss.
He also appeared on nearly 90% of the ballots.
As one NFC exec noted, Baun didn't get a lot of defensive snaps in New Orleans (301 in 2023), so he seized the opportunity when given a full run in Philly. His 41% run-stop win rate was first among linebackers in this top 10.
'Finally came into his own," an NFC executive said. "He's such a versatile defender that can affect the game in multiple ways that his strength was potentially hindering him from reaching his ceiling early on in his career. Instead [in 2024], he really mastered stacked ILB and was able to build up that foundation to take advantage of his athletic ability and playmaking.'"
Baun's transformation of his career is one for the history books
It has to be one of the feel-good stories of the NFL after Baun went from 14 career starts for the New Orleans Saints through his first four seasons to starting 16 last year in Philly. He took the league by storm with 151 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, four pass deflections, one interception, and one fumble recovery in 2024.
Baun's magical season ended with a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. He also secured a key interception in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, which helped the Eagles win the game and the title. Philly paid him well with a three-year, $51 million deal in the offseason to keep him with the team.
This season holds different expectations for Baun as he has shown off what he can do. Now it's about dominating again and staying consistent.
He will also take on a more leadership role, as veterans like Brandon Graham and Darius Slay are no longer on the team. Baun must take over and be the guy the team looks to for not only running the defense on the field, but also motivating the whole team to perform week after week.
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There's no question he's ready to take over, as he's proven already that he can overcome any adversity. It's Baun's time to be the man the Eagles need him to be: a fearless leader.