Zack Baun, a linebacker, will depart the Saints after reaching a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
After having success last season as a situational pass rusher, Zack Baun will now get another opportunity to do so.
The linebacker for the New Orleans Saints agreed to a one-year contract on Monday under the NFL’s permissible tampering window, and it is apparently on his way to the Philadelphia Eagles. After Lonnie Johnson signed a contract with the Houston Texans during this free agency cycle, Baun becomes the second (shortly to be former) Saints player to sign elsewhere.
A 2020 third-round selection, Baun was perhaps miscast throughout the majority of his Saints career. Although Baun was successful as a pass rusher in college, the New Orleans brass felt that his 6-foot-3 stature would prevent him from regularly getting to the quarterback, thus the player was picked with the intention of using him as a reserve linebacker. But for his first three seasons, Baun was a poor linebacker who hardly saw the field.
But because of Cam Jordan’s injury and general lack of output in 2023, the Saints needed pass-rushing support, and they looked to Baun. There, in Weeks 13 and 17, Baun recorded his first two career sacks, the first on Lions quarterback Jared Goff and the second on Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The announcement of Baun’s impending resignation was originally made by ESPN.
Baun may be able to get more playing time in Philadelphia. After a dismal 2023 campaign, the Eagles are rebuilding their team this offseason, and they made a move into free agency on Monday when the negotiation window opened. Philadelphia agreed to a three-year, $37.8 million contract with star running back Saquon Barkley and added former Jets defensive end Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million agreement.
Vic Fangio, who was hired after serving in the same capacity for the Miami Dolphins the previous season, will coach Baun’s defense. With pass rushers Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick up for trade, the Eagles defense may possibly see more changes in the near future. Defense tackle Fletcher Cox (retired) and cornerback Avonte Maddox (cut), the latter of whom the Saints hosted on Monday, are the other exits.
