$51 Million ‘Unexpected Star’ for Eagles Makes Splashy Debut Among NFL Elite

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Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun.

In the future, there’s a chance we might look at Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun’s career as a template that helped a lot of other NFL players not lose their careers to staid thinking by their coaches.

And by not losing their careers, like Baun almost did, they’ll also avoid losing millions of dollars.

Baun’s incredible story added another chapter when he  he debuted at No. 3 on ESPN’s annual list of the Top 10 off ball linebackers — known to anyone born before 1980 as inside linebackers.

Baun spent the first 4 years of his career with the New Orleans Saints as an edge rusher before he signed a 1-year, $1.6 million contract with the Eagles in March 2024 and switched positions.

Baun became a star under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. In his first season at his new position, he led the Eagles with 151 tackles on the way to winning a Super Bowl, being named NFL All-Pro and a Pro Bowler.

The cherry on the top? The Eagles signed Baun to a 3-year, $51.1 million contract on March 5, less than one month after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

“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,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on July 15. “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.”

San Francisco 49ers linebacker and 4-time NFL All-Pro Fred Warner was No. 1 for the second year in a row. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, a 5-time NFL All-Pro, came in at No. 2.

Baun, 25 years old, was also the second youngest player on the list behind Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (No. 8), who might not even play in 2025 due to a catastrophic knee injury suffered late last season.

Baun Might Feel Motivated By Rankings

There’s one school of thought that says the No. 3 spot is too low for Baun. Especially considering how good he was in the postseason.

In 4 postseason games, Baun absolutely filled up the stat sheet with 33 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 interceptions, 3 pass deflections, 2 fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

Despite that, according to ESPN, Baun was still completely left off of several ballots in their Top 10 voting.

Any perceived slight can be used as motivation to come out and dominate by a pro athlete, no matter how small. That might give Baun some room to push himself to an even higher level in 2025 as the Eagles try to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

“Obviously a phenomenal season — first-team All-Pro, top-five defensive player of the year,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said on February 25. “Tremendous person, tremendous character. Made a huge difference during the regular season, made a huge difference during the playoffs, made a huge difference in the Super Bowl. And so, those are guys that you obviously want to keep.”