According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Philadelphia Eagles are re-signing LB Zack Baun to a three-year deal worth $51M that includes $34M in guarantees.
Eagles bring back Zack Baun on shiny new contract
This is a huge move for the Birds. Perhaps the biggest question facing them this offseason was whether or not they’d have the necessary cap space to retain Baun after his breakout season in 2024. The Pro Bowler notched 151 tackles, 11 TFL and 3.5 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles en-route to lifting the Lombardi Trophy, giving Philadelphia production at the linebacker position we haven’t seen in close to a decade.
Baun was formerly a special teams ace of the New Orleans Saints, but a renewed lease of life under Vic Fangio catapulted him among the NFL’s elite. His prove-it contract was worth around $4M and it became very clear early on that he was going to get a much bigger paycheck once the offseason rolled around.
After a flurry of roster moves that involved the departure of James Bradberry and Darius Slay as well as a shiny new deal for Saquon Barkley, the Eagles pulled the trigger to keep Baun in Philadelphia for three more years.
The contract averages out to around $17M per year, putting him a little above the likes of Bradley Chubb, Foyesade Oloukun, and Brian Burns.
Was this a hefty price tag? Absolutely. Is he worth every penny provided he can maintain this excellent level of play in a scheme that clearly fits his skillset? Absolutely.
The Eagles will now go into this offseason with one key linebacker secured, and some intriguing names in behind such as Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. It wouldn’t be too surprising to see a couple of new names added to the roster through the upcoming NFL Draft, but Howie Roseman has struck again, turning water into wine and securing yet another franchise cornerstone for a few more years.
REUTERS/Mike Segar
