The Philadelphia Eagles re-signed All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million deal on Wednesday that includes $34 million guaranteed at signing and an extra $1.5 million in incentives and escalators, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. After breaking out in his first year in Philly in 2024 and helping them win their second Super Bowl title, Baun becomes one of the highest-paid linebackers in football. The 28-year-old didn't work out for the New Orleans Saints after they took him in the third round in 2020, but he was a gold mine for Philly and fantasy managers in IDP formats in 2024 after he was moved inside and accumulated 151 tackles (93 solo), 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, five QB hits, an interception, four pass breakups, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 16 regular-season starts. You'll have to pay a high price in IDP leagues this fall to roster him in 2025.
Eagles Will Make "Concerted Effort" To Keep Zack Baun
Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said at the NFL Combine on Tuesday that the team will make a "concerted effort" to re-sign impending free-agent linebacker Zack Baun this offseason. "We didn't do any deals during the season, which probably could have prevented some of these problems, but we just didn't feel like the timing was right," Roseman said. Baun, a former third-rounder by the New Orleans Saints in 2020 out of Wisconsin, came out of nowhere to have a monster season for the Super Bowl-champion Eagles in his first year in Philadelphia. The 28-year-old made the Pro Bowl and was named a first-team All-Pro by recording 151 tackles (93 solo), 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, five QB hits, an interception, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 16 regular-season starts. The Eagles have plenty of other priorities this offseason, so seeing Baun walk in free agency would not be a surprise.
Broncos Could Try To Sign Zack Baun In Free Agency
The Athletic's Nick Kosmider suggests that the Denver Broncos could look to sign Philadelphia Eagles impending free-agent linebacker Zack Baun this offseason. Baun was a third-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2020 when Sean Payton was still the head coach. He didn't have a single sack in his first three NFL seasons as an outside edge rusher mainly, but he thrived in his first year with the Eagles in 2024 when he was moved to inside linebacker, finishing with 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks and five forced fumbles to become a finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The 28-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent in March, and the Eagles could struggle to re-sign him, potentially opening the door for Denver to get involved and add Baun to an already strong defense that led the NFL in sacks in 2024.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (groin) practiced in full all week and was removed from Friday's final injury report for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans. Baun was listed on this week's injury report with what apparently was a minor groin injury. It's something to watch in Sunday's big game, but the 28-year-old should be just fine to play his usual amount of snaps in the middle of Philly's top-ranked defense as they look to prevent the Chiefs from becoming the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls. Baun, a former third-rounder, was a beast in his first year with the Eagles, being named a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro after recording 151 tackles (93 solo), 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, one pick, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 16 regular-season games.
The Philadelphia Eagles are resting key players on both sides of the football for their Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival New York Giants. With the No. 2 seed in the NFC postseason already locked up, linebacker Zack Baun and cornerback Darius Slay are both listed as doubtful to play. In addition, defensive tackle Jalen Carter and linebacker Nakobe Dean (abdomen) are doubtful. Baun is the No. 2 fantasy linebacker in IDP formats thanks to his 93 tackles, 3.5 sacks and interception, so fantasy managers in those formats will need to make sure to bench him if they are still playing for a championship. Philadelphia's defense obviously won't be at full strength this weekend as they rest up for the playoffs, but they'll still be a top-10 fantasy defense against the lowly Giants offense and turnover-prone quarterback Drew Lock.
The New Orleans Saints traded up to the 74th pick in the draft and grabbed linebacker Zach Baun out of Wisconsin. In the process, the Browns gave the 74th and 244th picks to the Saints for the 88th pick and NOLA's 2021 third-rounder, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. This was a solid pick for the Saints, as Baun is strong and quick, though he is undersized. In 14 games last season, the Wisconsin product had 76 tackles, 12.5 sacks and one interception, so New Orleans filled a need with a solid prospect who could have easily been selected in the first round. It may be quite realistic for Baun to start games in 2020.
