Super Bowl LIX: Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles Kara Durrette/GettyImages

NFL players' tip of the cap to Zack Baun's ranking among league's best

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles
By Anthony Miller | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 12:00 PM ET

The perfect way to cap what was a memorable 2024 season for Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun would be to rank him among the best players in the NFL.

In the latest installment of the top 100 players in the NFL voted by the players, Baun was ranked by his peers at number 26. He becomes the sixth player on the Eagles to join the list, as his teammate A.J. Brown was added to the list earlier in the week.

"Baun joined the Eagles on a one-year deal last offseason and showcased he was a perfect fit in Philadelphia’s defense. Baun revamped his career by helping the Eagles’ unit reach new heights as Philly ranked No. 1 in passing defense. Baun enjoyed a bunch of "firsts," as he made first-team All-Pro, earned his first Pro Bowl honor and has now made his Top 100 debut. Baun was rewarded with a three-year contract and he’s “ excited to build off” the Eagles’ Super Bowl run.

NFL Pro Insight for Baun: In his first season as a starting off-ball linebacker, Zack Baun was named a first-team All-Pro. Baun excelled in coverage last season, allowing the fewest yards per target (5.0) as the nearest defender among linebackers (min. 40 targets)."

The Bald Eagle's first time hitting the Top 100 pic.twitter.com/7FmMblgBK3
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 20, 2025

The storybook run continues for Baun as he cements his legacy in Philly

Baun's rise to fame and glory shot out of a rocket in just one year with the Eagles. He led the team in tackles in 2024 with 151 while adding 11 tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, four pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and one interception in 16 games. Baun would go on to be a first-team All-Pro, a Pro Bowler, and was fifth in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year.

During the offseason, Baun converted his one-year deal for 2024 into a three-year, $51 million agreement. This was an unprecedented move by Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, as he's not typically known for re-signing linebackers; however, that's the kind of impact Baun has made on the Eagles' defense.

It's too early to crown Baun as one of the best in franchise history with just one year under his belt in Philadelphia, but that season was one of the best by an Eagles defender. He did everything for the team from stopping the run, pressuring the quarterback, and shutting down passing games.

At age 28, Baun still has plenty of years ahead of him as he is playing in his prime. He gives Eagles fans a reason ot be excited about the future of an already young defense.

This article first appeared on Inside the Iggles and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: