Zack Baun Bio
Zack Baun is an American professional football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. Born on December 30, 1996, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers before entering the NFL. Baun was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft and later emerged as one of the league’s most versatile defenders with the Eagles. He is a Super Bowl champion, a first-team All-Pro selection, and a two-time Pro Bowl honoree.
Early Life and Background
Baun grew up in West Bend, Wisconsin, where he attended West Bend East High School. After his sophomore year, his family moved to Brown Deer, Wisconsin, and he transferred to Brown Deer High School. At Brown Deer, he played football, basketball, and ran track, showcasing his athletic ability across multiple sports. He also shifted from wide receiver at West Bend to quarterback and linebacker at Brown Deer.
As a senior, Baun was named the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association State Offensive Player of the Year and the Dave Krieg State Quarterback of the Year. He passed for 1,936 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 1,837 yards and a state-leading 39 touchdowns. In basketball, he was a starter for Brown Deer’s 2013 WIAA Division II State Championship team, and he also placed in the Division II state track championships in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes.
Path to American Football
Baun committed to play college football at the University of Wisconsin, with the plan to gray shirt his freshman year. His multi-sport high school experience shaped his versatility as an athlete and helped him stand out as a recruit. He arrived in Madison as a highly decorated prep quarterback and outside linebacker prospect.
At Wisconsin, Baun transitioned fully into a defensive role and developed into a top-tier Big Ten edge defender. He steadily climbed the depth chart and earned team captain honors, building the foundation for a professional career. His college trajectory ultimately led to his selection in the 2020 NFL draft.
Zack Baun Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Baun redshirted his true freshman season at Wisconsin after breaking his left foot. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 12 games and recorded 15 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. His progress was halted when he missed his entire redshirt sophomore season after re-injuring his left foot during spring practices.
Baun earned a starting role at outside linebacker entering his redshirt junior year and finished the season as Wisconsin’s third-leading tackler with 63 stops, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups, one interception, and a fumble recovery. His development set the stage for a breakout senior campaign.
Wisconsin Badgers Breakthrough (2019)
Entering his redshirt senior season, Baun was placed on the Butkus Award watchlist and was voted a team captain. Through the first six games, he led the Badgers in sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles, earning midseason All-American recognition from the Associated Press and Sporting News. He finished the year with 76 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks, cementing his reputation as one of the nation’s top linebackers.
His dominant 2019 season earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors, Consensus All-American status, and recognition from the Football Writers Association of America and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Those performances convinced NFL scouts that Baun was ready for the next level, and he declared for the 2020 draft.
New Orleans Saints Era (2020–2023)
Baun was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round with the 74th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut on September 21, 2020, on Monday Night Football against the Las Vegas Raiders, contributing on special teams. He spent four seasons in New Orleans working to carve out a consistent defensive role.
His Saints tenure was disrupted in 2022 when a calf injury suffered in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens landed him on season-ending injured reserve on December 17, 2022. Despite the setbacks, his experience in New Orleans helped him develop his professional approach and prepared him for an opportunity elsewhere.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024–Present)
On March 13, 2024, Baun signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles and transitioned to inside linebacker during the offseason. He opened the 2024 season with a statement performance, recording 15 total tackles and 2 sacks in a Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Brazil, earning his first career multi-sack game. He was later named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after a Week 10 performance against the Dallas Cowboys in which he had two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Baun finished the 2024 season as a Pro Bowl selection, a first-team All-Pro, and fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
In the 2024 postseason, Baun recorded his first career interception in the Wild Card round against the Green Bay Packers. He then intercepted a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, helping the Eagles defeat Kansas City 40–22 and securing his first Super Bowl championship. On March 5, 2025, Baun agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract extension with the Eagles, with $34 million in guaranteed money.
Notable Events and Milestones
Baun’s biggest career milestone came on February 9, 2025, when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, with Baun leading the Philadelphia defense. He also earned a Butkus Award (pro) in 2024, recognizing him as the top linebacker in professional football. His 2024 All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections confirmed his status among the NFL’s elite defenders.
Zack Baun Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Zack Baun has compiled 362 total tackles, 9 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 13 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions. His career totals reflect steady production in New Orleans followed by a breakout campaign in Philadelphia after his position switch to inside linebacker.
Zack Baun Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Limited verified information is available about Zack Baun’s family background beyond his upbringing in West Bend and Brown Deer, Wisconsin. He has credited his family for supporting his multi-sport development during his high school years.
Personal Life
Baun has kept his personal life largely private. He is known primarily for his dedication to football and his commitment to community work in the Philadelphia area since joining the Eagles.
2025 Season Performance
Zack Baun entered the 2025 season as a cornerstone of the Philadelphia Eagles defense following his Super Bowl LIX triumph and lucrative contract extension. Anchoring the inside linebacker position, he continued to provide elite tackling and playmaking ability in the heart of Vic Fangio’s defense. His early-season contributions helped Philadelphia maintain its status as a championship contender in the NFC.
Baun’s combination of pass-rushing upside, coverage range, and football intelligence made him a central figure in the Eagles’ defensive game plans. By midseason, he remained on track to be considered for repeat All-Pro honors while serving as a vocal leader in the locker room. His partnership with the coaching staff and teammates positioned him as one of the most respected defenders in the league.
As the 2025 season progressed, Baun continued to be a difference-maker on a Philadelphia team built to compete for another Super Bowl run. His experience, durability, and high-level production were viewed as essential ingredients to the Eagles’ championship aspirations.
