Zack Baun

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		94	362	9.0	4
2025		16	123	3.5	2
2024		16	151	3.5	1
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Zack Baun drew a C+ on the Contract Value Index — a calibrated read on Philadelphia's cap allocation at linebacker. At $17M annually on a three-year deal, Baun's contract reflects a bet on modest but meaningful production; his 2025 season delivered 123 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions across 16 games, which places him in legitimate statistical company among linebackers but falls short of the elite-tier dominance that would justify premium-tier valuations at the position. The salary sits comfortably above the replacement-level threshold yet below franchise-caliber linebacker money, a positioning that makes sense for a solid starter without Pro Bowl or All-Pro credentials despite six seasons in the league. At 29 years old and in his sixth NFL season, Baun is in the proven-contributor phase of his career arc rather than ascending upside; the Eagles' recent contract restructuring and retention moves signal institutional confidence, but the investment is anchored to his current performance tier, not a projection of stardom. The narrative around Baun—reinforced by media coverage centering his development under Vic Fangio's system and stated readiness to elevate—reads as cautious optimism rather than championship-window urgency, and the Eagles' roster moves (bringing in additional defensive depth) appear designed to fortify the linebacker room around him rather than diminish his role. Over three years, this deal carries moderate risk; the upside exists if Baun sustains 2025 production levels in Fangio's scheme, but the downside is a solid contributor whose salary doesn't align with above-average-starter outcomes.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Zack's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Zack Baun grades a B+ performance mark, with his Pro Bowl-caliber stretches anchoring the read. The 29-year-old linebacker's 2025 season produced 123 tackles across 16 games—a workload that positions him as a high-volume contributor rather than a rotational afterthought—and his 3.5 sacks paired with 2 interceptions underscore the defensive versatility that Vic Fangio's scheme appears designed to exploit. The tackle volume is his calling card; ball-hawking ability via the interception rate suggests he's become a legitimate two-level threat in coverage rather than a pure run-stuffer. Where Baun remains constrained is elite pass-rush production: 3.5 sacks over 16 games reflects a solid starter ceiling, not a marquee edge threat, which caps how high his overall value can climb relative to premium linebacker tiers. His career arc—a third-round pick in 2020 who spent years as organizational depth before finding genuine statistical company under Fangio's demanding system—reads as a legitimate emergence narrative rather than a flash in the pan, though the Eagles' concurrent roster moves (bringing in linebacker depth like A.J. Epenesa on the edge) suggest the organization views him as the system's anchor rather than its only answer. At 29 and in Year 6, Baun is delivering a solid starter's impact in a favorable defensive scheme, with the contract restructuring signaling Philadelphia's institutional confidence in his $17M annual salary, but without the elite metrics or accolades that would vault him into franchise-caliber territory.

How Zack Compares at the Position

Zack Baun ranks 36th of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Zack between Devin Bush (B+) just ahead and Quay Walker (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Around Philadelphia, the narrative on Zack Baun reads as a B sentiment grade — measured by recent headlines and fan reactions. The media conversation has decidedly shifted in his favor, centering on his development trajectory under Vic Fangio's demanding defensive system and his stated readiness to elevate his game in Year 3, with the "unique rise to stardom" framing dominating recent coverage—a sharp contrast to his origins as a third-round 2020 pick who was long viewed as organizational depth. His 2025 season numbers—123 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions across 16 games—have placed him in genuine statistical company among linebackers, and the Eagles' willingness to restructure his contract signals they view him as a core contributor rather than a rotational piece, which aligns with the positive institutional backing reflected in headline trends. However, there's a notable tension preventing sentiment from climbing higher: while the on-field production and organizational confidence paint a picture of a franchise-caliber linebacker, an undercurrent of disciplinary uncertainty has begun to cloud what would otherwise be a clean breakout narrative, creating a split-screen perception where he's simultaneously celebrated as a legitimate starter and scrutinized over unresolved matters. The Eagles' recent roster activity around linebacker depth—cutting Isaiah King while adding complementary pieces like A.J. Epenesa—reads as the organization shoring up the system around Baun rather than hedging on his role, which reinforces rather than undermines confidence in his standing. The bottom line is a player living at a genuine crossroads: the headline-driven praise is real and sustained, and his on-field production justifies it, but the looming disciplinary shadow prevents the sentiment from climbing into true-believer territory where his statistics alone would normally warrant it.