The Tuesday after Zack Baun played in the Super Bowl, his wife wanted to watch the game again, so they turned on the TV copy.
They watched.
“I felt like I was just watching ‘the Super Bowl,’” Baun said on locker cleanout day. “Like, I didn’t connect myself with that game yet. It’s kind of weird for me to tell you that but it’s true.”
Baun, 28, just finished an incredible season, capped off with a Super Bowl win against the Kansas City Chiefs. His story has been one of the most remarkable in recent memory. He was signed with little expectation, yet became a starter and the best linebacker in football in 2024.
Next up for Baun? Free agency. This year will likely be different from the last for Baun. But he hadn’t started thinking about that yet as the Eagles cleaned out their lockers the day before their big parade.
When will Baun start thinking about it?
“Maybe early next week after I’ve recovered from a headache,” he said. “Next week I think I’ll really start thinking about what my future holds.”
Last March, Baun signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Eagles. He was coming off his rookie contract with the Saints, and no one was sure what position he would play in Philly. But the Eagles saw him as a special teams player with defensive potential.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio saw Baun as a starting inside linebacker, and he was right. Baun thrived in the role and will likely get a big deal this offseason.
“I’m curious,” Baun said. “I don’t know what it’s going to look like, honestly. My goal every time is to play the best football I can. Hopefully, it’s here. I love this place and I really appreciate what they’ve done for my career and my family and just everything. Got a lot of options to weigh and stuff to think about.”
This could be Baun’s big chance to land a multi-year contract, and he knows it. He could get a deal worth an average of $9.7 million per year. But there are also questions of fit and scheme, and there’s no doubt Baun enjoyed his season in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Eagles players celebrate with the trophyEven if it hadn’t ended with a parade, Baun would still consider this a special season in a special place.
“It’s revived my love for the game, honestly,” Baun said about his time in Philly. “I think it was dwindling there in New Orleans for a while. It just revived my love for this and the passion I have for this game. It’s not about the Super Bowl win. It is but it isn’t.
“The personal accolades, you guys know me, I’m not one who thinks first about myself or even set those as goals for myself. I just love the mental grind of it, fighting through adversity. I just love it and I love being around these guys.”
Baun had one of the best seasons ever by an Eagles defensive player, finishing fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He recorded 151 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 4 pass breakups, 1 interception, 5 QB hits, and 11 tackles for loss, and he played just as well in the playoffs. He made a huge interception in Super Bowl LIX.
Throughout the season, Baun kept saying that he hadn’t set goals for himself in 2024. “I lied,” he admitted on Thursday. The one goal he set, with his assistant linebackers coach, was to hit 100 tackles and make an impact on defense. That goal was accomplished.
Baun said his ability to cover ground in pass coverage stood out to him this season, and he admitted that even he didn’t know he could play so well in coverage. He really enjoyed playing in the middle, as the Eagles call it, and covering a lot of ground.
“I’m proud of myself. I really am, genuinely,” Baun said. “S—, it’s like really deep for me, actually. I’m sure it will settle in more. And the crazy part is, this is my first year doing it. What is Year 2 going to look like? What is Year 3 going to look like?”
Eagles fans are hoping they get to find out. But soon, Baun will have to start thinking about his future—once the headache from the parade fades away.
