There’s a quiet kind of respect that shows up when the people who actually watch film for a living refuse to leave your name off their list. That happened for Zack Baun this week when ESPN polled executives, scouts and coaches around the league to rank the NFL’s top linebackers.
Baun slid from third place last offseason down to fourth this time around. But here’s the part that stands out more than the number next to his name. He and San Francisco’s Fred Warner were the only two linebackers who appeared on every single ballot submitted. Not a single voter left Baun out of their top 10.
That kind of universal acknowledgment matters more than a one-spot drop. Especially considering where Baun was a few years ago.
From part-time player to Pro Bowl fixture
Jeremy Fowler, who put the rankings together for ESPN, noted that Baun is one of the league’s genuine success stories. The guy was a part-time role player before his breakout 2024 All-Pro season in Philadelphia. That performance earned him a three-year, $51 million deal in the 2025 offseason.
His 2025 season wasn’t quite the thunderclap that 2024 was. But it was close enough. Baun finished the regular season with 123 total tackles, three and a half sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The coverage numbers are what really jump off the page. Seven passes defensed and four interceptions from an off-ball linebacker is the kind of production that makes offensive coordinators game plan around you.
“He’s got lateral quickness and is an incredibly smart player,” one NFL personnel evaluator told Fowler. “He’s perfect for Vic’s (Fangio) scheme, can play close to the line and get pressure or can play off the ball.”
That last part is key. Baun’s versatility in Fangio’s defense means the Eagles can use him as a blitzer, a run stopper or a coverage linebacker depending on what the situation calls for. He doesn’t have to come off the field in obvious passing situations.
What this means for the Eagles defense in 2026
Philadelphia is going to look different on offense this fall with a new offensive coordinator calling plays. But the defense should still be rock solid with Baun patrolling the middle. The 29-year-old is entering what should be prime years for a linebacker, and the Eagles will lean on him heavily.
Training camp opens July 28. That’s when we’ll start getting a real look at how this team fits together. But Baun’s spot in the lineup was never in question. The league already told us that much.
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