Zack Baun ready to find another level in Year 3 of Fangio's defense

Zack Baun ready to find another level in Year 3 of Fangio's defense originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Zack Baun proved he was no fluke.

Now as the Eagles' star linebacker enters Year 3 under Vic Fangio, he wants to reach even deeper levels in the legend's defense.

I feel like I'm worried less now about what my responsibility is and can really hone in on what the offense is doing and preparing that way," Baun said this week at OTAs. And also continuing to find ways I can steal plays. If I can jump into this window and make an interception or tip a ball, get a PBU. I'm doing my best to find those ways too."

Baun, 29, wasn't a full-time starter until he got to Philadelphia in 2024. In his first four years in the NFL, Baun was mostly a special teams player in New Orleans and when he signed with the Eagles in the 2024 offseason, he was mostly an afterthought.

But Fangio thought Baun had potential as an inside linebacker and - as he often is - Fangio was right. It was a storybook first season for Baun in Philly. He became full-time starter, an All-Pro and helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl on his way to a massive three-year contract extension.

If there was a fear that his 2024 season was a fluke, Baun put that to rest in 2025. He wasn't named an All-Pro in 2025, but he was a Pro Bowler again and his stats definitely stood up to his All-Pro season.

It was obviously going to be difficult to completely replicate his incredible stats from that magical 2024 campaign, but Baun felt like he had a fuller understanding of the defense in Year 2 and that growth should continue into Year 3.

I've grown a lot as a player, especially in this scheme," Baun said this week at OTAs. Learning where I can make plays, where are the weaknesses of the defense, who's dropping where, who to communicate to. If communication needs to go from a safety down to an outside backer, if it's not clear or I don't hear it, I make sure that the D-line gets that communication. Being able to implement myself in ways that is outside of my position and my realm has really been cool."

One of the biggest differences for the Eagles on defense this season will be the absence of Nakobe Dean, who left in free agency to join the Raiders. That was not a surprise. Dean got paid and the Eagles last April drafted Jihaad Campbell in the first round.

That doesn't mean it was easy to say goodbye to a close friend and teammate.

First off, it hurt to see him leave but I'm happy to watch him go," Baun said. I know he's going to succeed wherever he is. I thank him from the bottom of my heart. From when I came here to learn the system, to teaching me how to play inside linebacker. That's my brother and I wish him the best."

Without Dean, Campbell will be a full-time starting linebacker once his shoulder heals. The Eagles will have to rely even more on Baun too, but there's a reason he had a C on his jersey last year.

And there are plenty of returning veterans on that side of the ball.

I feel like we have a lot of guys that can take over the leadership," Baun said. Obviously, he was a big part. But we have a lot of guys. Jordan Davis, myself, Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell. All the starters can take ownership and that leadership in the locker room, on the field, and take charge just as Nakobe did."