Last week, the Philadelphia Eagles signed linebacker Zack Baun to a one-year deal. After being drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Saints, Baun spent his first four NFL seasons in New Orleans. Now, he gets a fresh change of scenery on a new deal with new Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Who Is New Philadelphia Eagles Linebacker Zack Baun?
Baun played four years of college football at Wisconsin before being drafted to the Saints in 2020.
In high school, Baun was a three-sport athlete, playing quarterback on the football team, basketball, and track. He was named the Offensive Player of the Year his senior season, throwing for 1,837 yards and a state-leading 39 touchdowns.
As a starter on the basketball team, Baun won the Division II State Championship. He also placed in the Division II State Track Championship in the 100 and 200-meter dashes.
During his first four years in the NFL, Baun has been a rotational linebacker in Dennis Allen’s defense and a contributor on special teams. Still just 27 years old, he could be ready to shoulder an increased workload in a new system with Fangio in Philadelphia.
Last season was Baun’s best in the NFL. He had a career-high 30 total tackles, two sacks, and an interception. As a rotational linebacker, his workload and production increased every season, which is promising for an incoming free agent entering the prime of his career.
Baun was reliable during his time in New Orleans and Wisconsin, already appearing in 62 NFL games and has 14 games of starting experience.
Baun’s Contract Details
Signing a one-year deal with the Eagles during this free agency period, Baun will again be a free agent next year. His one-year deal is worth $1.6 million (fully guaranteed), with a $475,000 signing bonus. He has a dead cap hit of $1.6 million.
For a rotational LB, this is a very fair deal for the Eagles. During this free agency, we saw top-end linebackers like Patrick Queen receive over $13.5 million yearly from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even former Patriots LB Mack Wilson received $4.25 million annually for three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
Baun’s Career Stats
As a college linebacker, Baun had over 150 tackles with the Badgers. His collegiate numbers also included 15 sacks, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
As a third-round pick, Baun hasn’t yet had the opportunity to replicate those college statistics in the NFL. As a rookie, he played in 15 games, started three, and had 12 total tackles. In 2021, Baun played all 17 games, started four, and had 30 total tackles. The following season, Baun played 13 games, started one, and had 16 total tackles.
KEEP READING: Haason Reddick’s Trade Suitors
As mentioned, last season was Baun’s best in the NFL. He played all 17 games, started six, and flashed with 30 total tackles, two sacks, an interception, and four tackles for loss. It’s possible that the Eagles get a productive Year 5 from him this season.
Every move. Every team. Don’t miss a thing with PFN’s NFL Free Agency Tracker.