Eagles Rumors: Zack Baun Contract 'Priority' Entering 2025 NFL Free Agency

Linebacker Zack Baun produced a breakout season in his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles, and it sounds like the team is hoping to keep him in the fold for the foreseeable future.

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Eagles have made re-signing Baun "a priority" ahead of his impending free agency this offseason.

After spending the first four years of his career with the New Orleans Saints, Baun signed with the Eagles on a one-year deal prior to the 2024 campaign. He was switched to a full-time off-ball linebacker for the first time in his career, and the move paid off in a major way.

Baun was named to the Pro Bowl and earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career after producing career highs of 151 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, four passes defended, an interception and a fumble recovery. During the postseason, he racked up 33 total tackles, three passes defended, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble to help lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl title.

McLane noted that the Eagles "have long undervalued the position" of off-ball linebacker, but their desire to re-sign Baun stems from the fact that they "also haven’t had an off-ball linebacker perform at his level in some time."

"Obviously a phenomenal season — first-team All-Pro, top-five defensive player of the year. Tremendous person, tremendous character," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said of Baun at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. "Made a huge difference during the regular season, made a huge difference during the playoffs, made a huge difference in the Super Bowl. And so, those are guys that you obviously want to keep. There’s no doubt about it, we’ll make a concerted effort to try to keep him here. But … obviously he has an opportunity to hit free agency."

The Eagles are likely to have a ton of competition in their pursuit of Baun, but McLane reported that the 28-year-old "has openly expressed his desire to stay in Philadelphia and play in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme." It wouldn't be a surprise if he chose to run it back in hopes of earning a second straight Super Bowl ring.