In his first game for the Birds, the Wisconsin native recorded two sacks and 15 tackles against the Packers.
Growing up in Brown Deer, Wis. Zack Baun was, naturally, a big fan of the Green Bay Packers as a kid. On Friday night in São Paulo, Brazil, Baun sealed a 34-29 win for the Philadelphia Eagles against the very same Packers he used to cheer for by recording his second sack of the night as time expired.
The former Wisconsin Badgers standout was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft and appeared in 62 games over four seasons with the Saints, but was looking for a new team this summer. As luck would have it, the Eagles needed help at linebacker this off-season and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was enamored with Baun’s game.
ZACK BAUN GAME-CLINCHING SACK‼️#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/S25OmcQAtd
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 7, 2024
During his senior season at Wisconsin, Baun was consensus first-team All-Big Ten and first-team All-America after racking up 76 tackles, 19.5 TFL, 12.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries, two passes defended, and one interception which he returned for a touchdown. Despite these impressive numbers he slipped down draft boards in 2020 and then never really got a chance in New Orleans to show his full skill-set.
Baun’ played primarily as an EDGE rusher in college but played mostly inside for the Saints and was prepared to play either position in Philadelphia after signing as a free agent.
Wow I underestimated Zack Baun pic.twitter.com/jBbqvotC7k
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) September 7, 2024
After struggling to carve out a role with the Saints it appears that Baun has found a home in Fangio’s defense. BLG noted after the game:
Just not used to seeing an Eagles linebacker fly around like that out there. Really encouraging debut for him, especially when it was originally expected he’d be playing as a rotational edge rusher when the Eagles signed him. Vic Fangio can take a victory lap for liking Baun a lot more than anyone else; he’s seemingly found his new Andrew Van Ginkel.
Baun’ clearly has a talent for rushing the passer and has developed his other skills so he can play multiple linebacking positions, now he may have just found the right defensive coordinator to deploy him properly and take him to the next level. Saquon Barkley was the headliner for the Eagles free agent class in 2024, but Baun may turn out to be the most underrated signing in the whole league if he keeps playing like he did in Week 1.
