Former Wisconsin outside linebacker Zack Baun is currently in place as one of the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting inside linebackers with four weeks remaining before the start of the 2024 NFL season.
He received first-team reps alongside Devin White during the Eagles’ 16-13 preseason win over the Baltimore Ravens on Friday night. The two linebackers played every snap with the rest of the team’s projected starters during the its first two defensive drives of the contest.
Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger currently on an NFL roster entering 2024 training camp
Both Baun and White signed with the Eagles as free agents this offseason. White is a former Pro Bowler at the position and earned second-team All-Pro honors during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl season in 2020. Baun, conversely, has been a career special teams player after playing outside linebacker at Wisconsin.
The former Badger’s emergence as a starter at the position is somewhat of a surprise given his career trajectory. He first broke out as a pass-rusher during the 2019 season at Wisconsin, recording 19.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. He was then drafted to play that position, though was unable to crack the Saints top unit during any of his four seasons with the team.
#FFIDP – Philadelphia Eagles linebackers tonight (P1):
As reported over the past ~month, the starters at LB were Devin White & Zack Baun!
They each played every snap (14) through the first 2 drives.
Nakobe Dean & Jeremiah Trotter replaced them as the backups.
👀Baun still📈 pic.twitter.com/NFmXvHYMSy
— Jon Macri (@PFF_Macri) August 10, 2024
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio must have seen something in Baun’s film and athletic profile that projected well at inside linebacker. Given the training camp storylines and preseason snap count, he appears to be a lock to start at the position.
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