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The Eagles made it a point of emphasis to re-sign Zack Baun before the linebacker hit free agency, and the feeling was mutual. Baun spoke to reporters after signing his new deal and explained how Philly was where he wanted to be in 2025 and beyond.
“I really actually didn’t want to leave. What we built here, the culture here. Honestly, now that I’m thinking about it, I’m just a piece of the puzzle that was put into a great culture already established — from the people that work here, to the systems in place.
Everything I felt here this past year, just felt right for me and my family, as well. So, really didn’t want to leave and just appreciated everything we built.”
Baun explained that he looks at all the new pieces they had last year, both players and coaches, and him moving to a new position, and is impressed with what they were able to do in one offseason. But, with last season just being their starting point, he’s excited to see how he’s able to develop individually, and the evolution of the defense as a whole.
He later said that when he looks at his highlight tape, it’s hard not to focus on the plays that weren’t up to his standard — so even in games they won by 30 points, he was more focused on the two or three plays he made mistakes on. Because of this kind of attention to perfection, he still thinks there’s a lot of room for personal development even after an All-Pro year.
“I feel like at the end of the season I was playing so confidently, that I knew I was going to make a play, I just didn’t know what it was going to be or when or where. But I’m excited to build off that confidence and continue to find myself in this scheme.”
The linebacker talked about wanting to step up into more of a leadership role, and that’s something he wanted to do aside from Brandon Graham retiring and other veterans leaving. He noted that he wants to have a voice that’s impactful to the defense and the team.
As for how the contract negotiations went before he hit free agency, Baun said that he was working with Howie Roseman, Nick Sirianni, and Vic Fangio, because they knew he wanted to be in Philly, and he knew they wanted him back. He said that it was all about working together to find something that worked for both parties. Baun was adamant that he’s very glad they got a deal done quickly and that he’s staying with the Eagles.
