Zack Baun never pictured himself back in the Superdome quite like this. The last time he walked onto this field, he was a New Orleans Saint, still trying to carve out a role on a defense that never quite knew what to do with him. Now, he’s wearing midnight green, standing under the bright lights of Super Bowl LIX, a key piece of an Eagles defense that has been dominant all season.
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For Baun, it’s a full-circle moment. Drafted by the Saints in 2020, he spent four years in New Orleans trying to find his footing. They saw him as an edge rusher, but something never clicked. It wasn’t until he signed with the Eagles in 2024, switched to off-ball linebacker, and fully embraced his skillset that everything fell into place. And now, after a career-best season, he’s got a shot at capping it all off with a Super Bowl ring.
The transition was immediate. Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Baun thrived in coverage, posting the highest coverage grade among NFL linebackers per Pro Football Focus. His 150 tackles led the Eagles, and his five forced fumbles tied for second-most in the league. His first Pro Bowl nod, an All-Pro selection, and a finalist spot for Defensive Player of the Year? All unexpected, but well-earned.
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How Philly unlocked Zack Baun’s potential
What changed? Opportunity and trust. In New Orleans, Baun was a rotational piece, shuffled in and out of the lineup. In Philly, they handed him the keys to a starting role. “I wasn’t playing nearly as many snaps before,” Baun admitted. “Here, I got time on task. I got to work at the craft, really refine my tackling and coverage.” The result? A breakout year at exactly the right time.
Now, in the biggest game of his life, Baun will play in front of a New Orleans crowd that once cheered him on, then let him walk away. There’s no bitterness, just a sense of purpose. “It’s cool to be back,” he said with a smile. “But I’ve got a job to finish.”
If all goes well, Baun’s return to New Orleans will end with something far sweeter than nostalgia: a Lombardi Trophy in his hands.