Report: Zack Baun, Eagles Agree to New 3-Year, $51M Contract After Super Bowl Win

What a year it has been for Zack Baun.

The 28-year-old went from being a little-regarded signing by the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason to a Defensive Player of the Year finalist, Super Bowl champion and now the recipient of a three-year, $51 million extension in Philly, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The deal includes $34 million guaranteed and an additional $1.5 million in incentives and escalators, per Schefter.

Baun spent his first four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, where he was miscast as an edge-rusher and registered just two sacks and 88 total tackles in 62 games.

But Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio felt Baun might be better suited to the middle linebacker position once general manager Howie Roseman floated him as a potential addition. That proved to be a stroke of brilliance. Empowered in his new role, Baun posted 151 tackles (including 11 for loss), 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, four passes defensed and five quarterback hits.

He was named both a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler, alongside being a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. Were it not for the otherworldly season of Saquon Barkley, Baun would have been the best free-agent signing of 2024.

Despite his brilliant season, Baun's return to Philadelphia wasn't guaranteed. Roseman hasn't traditionally dedicated a ton of resources to the linebacker position, instead preferring to spend big money at quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback and on the offensive and defensive lines.

With edge-rusher Josh Sweat, defensive tackle Milton Williams and offensive lineman Mekhi Becton also hitting free agency, it seemed likely that the Eagles were going to have to part ways with a talented player or two.

But ultimately, Baun's breakout season made him too valuable to lose. After Wednesday's news, he'll continue to anchor Fangio's defense for many years to come.