The Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off their commanding Super Bowl LIX victory, faced a daunting challenge heading into the 2025 season. Losing key pieces of their championship defense could have derailed their hopes for a repeat. Yet, for the Eagles, the narrative isn’t one of despair but of resilience, thanks to a potent mix of young talent, depth, and the triumphant return of a defensive cornerstone.
On August 18, Eagles fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as All-Pro inside linebacker Zack Baun returned to practice, shaking off a nagging back injury that had limited him during most of the preseason. “Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said that the plan is for Baun to work in team drills,” noted Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper. This development is a massive boost for a defense already navigating the absence of starting linebacker Nakobe Dean, who continues to recover from a torn patellar tendon suffered in last year’s playoffs.
Zack Baun is staying in Philly 🦅 pic.twitter.com/lHMK9bUCdF
— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2025
Baun’s return is nothing short of a game-changer. Alongside second-year cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Baun is one of only three players deemed indispensable to the Eagles’ defensive success. With Dean sidelined and rookie first-round pick Jihaad Campbell stepping into a starting role, Baun’s presence provides stability and leadership to a linebacker corps in transition. Fangio also highlighted the silver lining of Dean’s absence, noting that it has allowed Campbell and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to gain valuable reps, further bolstering the team’s depth.
Baun’s journey to this point is the stuff of NFL legend. Entering the 2024 season, the former New Orleans Saints edge rusher was transitioning to inside linebacker, fighting for a roster spot primarily as a special teams contributor and backup. By the end of training camp, Baun didn’t just secure a starting role—he dominated it. In a stunning turn of events, he outperformed free agent signee Devin White so convincingly that the Eagles released White before the season began.
Baun’s 2024 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. On a modest one-year, $1.6 million contract, he led the Eagles with 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 4 pass deflections, and 5 forced fumbles. His defining moment came in Super Bowl LIX, where he sealed a 40-22 rout of the Kansas City Chiefs with a game-clinching interception. Baun’s performance wasn’t just a breakout—it was a statement.
Recognizing his value, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie wasted no time. On March 5, before Baun could even test the free agent market, they locked him up with a blockbuster three-year, $51 million contract, including $34 million guaranteed and up to $1.5 million in incentives. “Breaking: Eagles are re-signing All-Pro LB Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced on X, noting that the deal instantly made Baun one of the NFL’s highest-paid linebackers.
While most teams would crumble after losing key defensive players, the Eagles are defying the odds. The combination of Baun’s return, the emergence of young stars like Campbell and Trotter Jr., and the established brilliance of Mitchell and Carter suggests this defense could be even better than the one that hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Fangio’s scheme thrives on versatility and depth, and Baun’s ability to disrupt both the run and pass games makes him the linchpin of this unit.
As the Eagles prepare to kick off their title defense against the rival Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, September 4, at home, the return of their $51 million All-Pro linebacker sends a clear message: Philadelphia’s defense isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving. Baun’s earlier-than-expected comeback has turned a potential nightmare into a dream scenario, setting the stage for another electrifying season in the City of Brotherly Love.