Eagles sign former Saints backup LB Zack Baun to $51M extension

Mar 06, 2025

Zack Baun used to back up Demario Davis and Pete Werner. Now, after signing a $51 million contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, he'll be making nearly as much as both his former New Orleans Saints teammates put together, if not more, depending on how you count the dollars.

Good for him. Baun's career was trending in an ugly direction after the Saints spent four years keeping him on the bench. He signed a one-year deal with the Eagles last spring and quickly proved his worth, winning a starting job and making a name for himself around the NFL. By year's end Baun was a Defensive Player of the Year finalist with Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition. He played a crucial role in the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX victory by intercepting Patrick Mahomes.

And now those efforts have been rewarded. Baun will continue to play a starring role for the Eagles and be coached by Vic Fangio -- Philly's defensive coordinator who used to coach a couple of future Hall of Fame linebackers on the Saints' legendary "Dome Patrol" defense. He's earned this and deserves to enjoy the achievement.

Baun is set to earn $51 million from the Eagles over the next three years, with $34 million of it guaranteed at signing. In that same time Werner and Davis are guaranteed a combined $30.13 million from the Saints. It's a big payday for a big-time player. It's just a shame the Saints didn't give him more opportunities when they had him in the building.