The Philadelphia Eagles were applauded by Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com for retaining star linebacker Zack Baun on a new three-year deal worth $51 million. In Chadiha's list of the 10 best movs of the NFL offseason so far, the Eagles re-signing Baun came in at No. 8.
The Chicago Bears hiring Ben Johnson as head coach topped the list, while the Cincinnati Bengals signing star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to extensions came in at No. 2.
Eagles applauded for keeping Zack Baun in Philadelphia
Here's some of what was written about Baun staying in Philly:
"Philadelphia has never been crazy about paying big money to off-ball linebackers, which tells you how important Baun is to this team's success. In giving Baun a three-year, $51 million deal (with $34 million guaranteed), general manager Howie Roseman sent the message that he's once again not afraid to break trends. ... He could've found a nice market in free agency, but it's hard to walk away from a team that made your career. Baun saw the value in staying put, and Roseman made that decision an easy one."
Baun, a Defensive Player of the Year award finalist in 2024, would have had several suitors on the open market, but he never wanted to leave Philly after the success he experienced during his first season in an Eagles uniform.
"I really actually didn't want to leave," Baun said. "What we built here, the culture here, and honestly now that I'm thinking about it, I was just a piece of the puzzle that was put into a great culture already established. The people that work here, the system is in place, everything I felt here this past year just felt right for me and my family as well."
The Eagles lost a plethora of key contributors from the team that won the Super Bowl less than two months ago, but bringing Baun back was a priority. He helped to set the tone for the defense throughout the championship run and he consistently found a way to make big plays for Philly, including an interception in the Super Bowl.
Baun already cemented himself as one of the best free agent additions in franchise history. Now, he'll get to continue to add to his Eagles legacy over the next three seasons by building off of the momentum he established during his first season in Philly.
"I felt that towards the end of the season that I was playing so confidently that I knew I was going to make a play," Baun said. "I couldn't tell you what it was going to be or when or where, and I'm excited to build off of that confidence and continue to find myself in this scheme."
