The Philadelphia Eagles made a lucrative long-term commitment to one of their top performers on the defensive side, showering All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun with a $51 million contract.
Baun had been inked to a one-year deal ($1.5 million) last offseason before proving to be an integral part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl championship team. He tallied 151 total tackles, along with 3.5 sacks and an interception, to solidify his spot in Vic Fangio’s defense.
Zack Baun Signs Three-Year, $51 Million Contract
Baun will earn approximately $17 million per year, making him the fourth-highest-paid linebacker in the NFL. Rounding out that high-priced list are Roquan Smith ($20 million), Fred Warner ($19 million), and Tremaine Edmunds ($18 million).
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Baun’s overall deal is worth $51 million over three years. It includes $34 million guaranteed at signing and an additional $1.5 million in undisclosed incentives and escalators.
Breaking: Eagles are re-signing All-Pro LB Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract, including $34 million guaranteed at signing and additional $1.5 million in incentives and escalators, per sources. The contract instantly makes Baun one of the highest-paid LBs in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/n7zkzIgwcD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2025
Baun was lights out for the Eagles in 2024 after transitioning from outside linebacker to inside linebacker. He was Fangio’s maestro — wearing the green dot and communicating coverages following an injury to Nakobe Dean — and enjoyed a career-best year.
He racked up 151 total tackles (11 for loss), along with 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and one interception. Prior to last year, he had never recorded more than 30 tackles in a single season.
The 28-year-old was a wrecking ball in the postseason, too. Baun intercepted Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl 59, in addition to picking off Jordan Love in the NFC Divisional Round and forcing a fumble in the NFC Championship Game.
His 90.1 overall grade (via Pro Football Focus) was second-best in the NFL among 189 qualifying linebackers. His play, combined with the impeccable performance of the Eagle’s defense, helped Philadelphia rank second in PFSN’s Defense+ metric with a regular season grade of B+. Baun was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, finishing fifth in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Staying in Philadelphia was Always Baun’s Top Priority
Fans have been lobbying hard for Baun to get a contract extension all year. Whether it was a crucial third-down stop or a game-changing turnover, the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder always seemed to be in the exact right spot at the exact right time.
While he didn’t want to dwell on negotiations in the middle of the season, his heart was definitely set on staying in Philadelphia. It was forever his desired outcome.
“Obviously, those things are out of my control and in the hands of people above me,” Baun told reporters in early January, “but I love it here. I love the guys in the locker room. I love the organization. I hope it works out.”
Baun credited Fangio for putting him in the conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The switch from outside linebacker to inside linebacker unlocked his full potential.
Baun said, “I actually had a funny conversation with Vic the other day when he found out I was nominated for this award, and he said, ‘Remember in the spring when you asked me why you weren’t taking outside linebacker reps?’ And he just kind of laughed about that because I think he knew all along was inside is where I belong.”
