The Philadelphia Eagles made what seemed like an insignificant signing at the time, by bringing in linebacker Zack Baun in on a one-year prove-it deal before the 2024 season. Baun, the New Orleans Saints’ third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, was a key contributor on special teams throughout his first four years. He found most of his success on defense as a situational pass rusher.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman targeted Baun in free agency to play a similar role as he did with the Saints. First-year Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had other plans for the athletic linebacker. After watching Baun’s film, Fangio saw the instincts and traits of an off-ball linebacker rather than an edge rusher.

The transition to an off-ball linebacker resurrected Baun’s career and turned him into a top player at his position in the NFL. The 28-year-old was named to the first Pro Bowl of his career and selected as a First-Team All-Pro. Baun was named as a finalist for the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Award along with Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson, T.J. Watt, and the favorite for the award, Patrick Surtain II.
Zack Baun Shouldn’t Be Overlooked As DPOY
Baun may not be the favorite, or have a legitimate shot at the award, but he produced an elite season at the linebacker position. The last traditional linebacker to win DPOY was five-time First-Team All-Pro and former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly in 2013.
Baun’s 2024 season resembles Kuechly’s DPOY season. Baun started 16 games for the Eagles, making 151 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, and 3.5 sacks. He played well in coverage, allowing an 80.5 passer rating when targeted and zero touchdowns. He had four passes defended and an interception. Baun forced five fumbles and missed just five percent of his tackles.
It’s worth noting that Baun was impactful, and right in the middle of the NFL’s No. 1 defense in 2024. The Eagles were in the bottom half of the league in total, passing, scoring, red zone, and third-down defense in 2023. The Eagles were No. 1 in total and passing defense, No. 2 in scoring defense, No. 3 in third-down defense, No. 5 in red zone defense, and No. 10 in rushing defense in 2024. Baun wasn’t the sole reason for the significant improvement, but he played a key part in the turnaround.
Kuechly was one of the best linebackers of his generation. He was named to seven Pro Bowls, seven All-Pro Teams, the 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and had 100 or more tackles in each of his eight seasons in the NFL.
In Kuechly’s DPOY season, he started 16 games for the Panthers, making 156 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and two sacks. He played exceptionally well in coverage, with seven passes defended and four interceptions. Kuechly was an excellent run defender but didn’t force any fumbles.
Surtain II is the odds-on favorite to be named 2024 DPOY. Although Baun had an incredible year compared to the season of a previous linebacker who won the award, he likely won’t win. He has the worst odds out of the five finalists on most major betting platforms, but his season shouldn’t go unnoticed.