Mar 14, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun speaks at a press conference after signing with the team. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
When the Eagles signed free agent linebacker Zack Baun to a one-year, $1.6 million deal back in March, fans met the move with a collective collective "meh."
Saints free-agent LB Zack Baun plans to sign a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
In the comments under Schefter's tweet, you'll find:
- "Who cares."
- "Band aid."
- "I'm tired of bargain basement LBs."
- "It's so over."
- "Howie loves to sign shake shack workers at LB then wonders why our defense sucks."
- "Why?"
- "There goes all my hope. Classic - sign some no-name linebacker and pray."
- And, more often than any other response: "Who?"
It's safe to say that Eagles fans know who Baun is now.
The only player in #NFL history since tackles were recorded (1987) to have 100+ tackles, 2+ sacks, and 4+ forced fumbles through the first 12 games of a season.
Zack Baun #Eagles
Zack Baun is now the highest graded LB in the NFL, surpassing Fred Warner.#Eagles pic.twitter.com/rpM6rvjhBl
That’s All-Pro LB Zack Baun to you pic.twitter.com/vi7z14tLzE
The 27-year-old linebacker continued his incredible season on Sunday against the Ravens, with 13 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. For the year, he's up to 74 solo tackles (14 more than the 60 he collected over four years with New Orleans), six tackles for loss (matching his career Saints total), 2.5 sacks (0.5 more than his career Saints total), and four forced fumbles (the first four of his career).
Baun discourse among fans is now focused on locking the linebacker up long-term.
PAY. ZACK. BAUN. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/TlezLN6XWJ
The Eagles found their diamond in the rough, in large part, because defensive coordinator Vic Fangio does his own evaluations of players and doesn't fall victim to groupthink:
"I've never been that guy"
Vic Fangio nailed his evaluation of Zack Baun and his ability to play inside linebacker this offseason. The Eagles signed Baun for $1.6 million in March. Fangio was asked how he came to his conclusion when the rest of the league wasn't as impressed. pic.twitter.com/Czworsx0q0
And while Fangio believed in Baun, the linebacker knows many others didn't. He uses that as motivation.
"I think a lot of guys on this defense and on this team have been underdogs for a long time," Baun said to reporters after the Baltimore game. "So having that chip on their shoulder--I know I have, I know Nakobe [Dean] has, and a lot of these linebackers--[We're] just playing aggressive. We want to grind on teams, we want to wear them out, and that's what we did."
That's exactly what they did. And if the Birds can sustain this level of play, the $1.6 million man just might find himself celebrating not just a huge payday, but also a Super Bowl victory.
