Tag: Badgers in NFL

Former Wisconsin linebacker captains Eagles to Super Bowl LIX appearance

Former Wisconsin linebacker captains Eagles defense to Super Bowl LIX appearance

Former Wisconsin and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun flashed his brilliance in his fourth career NFL playoff game on Sunday.

Baun, who earned a spot on the coveted 2024 AP All-Pro first team, continued his outstanding 2025 postseason run against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field.

A weekend after finishing with six tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery in the Eagles’ 28-22 divisional-round win over the Los Angeles Rams, Baun tallied 12 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the Eagles’ 55-23 win vs. Washington.

“It’s something that I’ll remember for my [whole] life,” Baun said after the win while holding his infant son.”We got one more to go. It’s really cool, and this is exciting… but we got work to do.”

As he did all season, Baun made an impact early for the Eagles. With roughly six minutes remaining in the first quarter of Sunday’s game, the linebacker forced Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown to fumble near Washington’s 45-yard line.

Philadelphia would go on to execute a six-play, 48-yard scoring drive to establish a 14-3 edge into the second quarter.

Baun would recover another Commanders’ fumble late in the third quarter to punctuate arguably his most impressive playoff game of his five-year NFL career. The 2024 All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection will now head to his first Super Bowl against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

Two former Wisconsin Badger linebackers set to square off in Super Bowl LIX

Two former Wisconsin Badger linebackers set to square off in Super Bowl LIX

Following three action-packed rounds of the 2025 NFL playoffs, two former Wisconsin Badgers will advance to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Feb. 9.

Entering Sunday, a total of five UW alumni suited up for the NFC or AFC Championship contests. In the early window, Washington Commanders offensive linemen Tyler Biadasz and Michael Deiter laced up for a match against the Philadelphia Eagles and former Badger linebacker Zack Baun.

Baun, fresh off his All-Pro regular season in his first campaign with Philadelphia, was the defense’s driving force in the Eagles’ 55-23 blowout win. The five-year NFL veteran finished with 12 total tackles, eight solo tackles, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery.

Baun will play in his first career Super Bowl, while it is the organization’s second in the last three seasons.

In the AFC championship game, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and linebacker Leo Chenal defeated the Buffalo Bills and guard David Edwards in another thriller.

Chenal finished with two total tackles Chiefs’ narrow 32-29 win. Remarkably, Chenal will appear in his third consecutive Super Bowl. The Chiefs, led by all-time great quarterback Patrick Mahomes, have a chance to be the first team to ever win three straight Super Bowls.

Baun’s individual season is among the most outstanding across the league in 2024, while Chenal’s team is inarguably the most prolific of the past decade. In about two weeks, only one of the former Badger greats will hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Former Wisconsin quarterback ‘expected to move on’ from Dallas Cowboys coaching staff

Former Wisconsin quarterback ‘expected to move on’ from Dallas Cowboys coaching staff

Former Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien ‘is expected to move on’ from the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Tolzin was the Cowboys’ quarterbacks coach under former head coach Mike McCarthy, who was recently fired after the 2024 season. According to Rapoport, Tolzien’s contract also expired at the end of the campaign.

Related: Power ranking all 18 Big Ten football programs after the 2024 season

Owner Jerry Jones and the Cowboys brass elected to promote offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach on Friday. Schottenheimer has yet to hire the rest of his coaching staff.

Tolzien was the Cowboys’ quarterbacks coach from 2022-23. He began with the team as an offensive assistant (2020-22). That followed his first coaching position: an analyst role at Wisconsin in 2019.

The former Badger entered the coaching ranks after a seven-year NFL career included stops with the San Francisco 49ers (2011-12), Green Bay Packers (2013-15) and Indianapolis Colts (2016-17). That career, mostly as a backup, concluded with 10 appearances, four starts, 88-of-146 passing, 1,065 passing yards, two touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Tolzien turned pro after five years with the Badgers (2006-10), two as the starter. He led the team to 10-3 and 11-2 seasons in 2009 and 2010, respectively, with a combined 68.1 completion percentage, 5,271 yards, 32 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott excelled in his one full year under Tolzien’s tutelage (2023), completing 69.5% of his passes for 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Cowboys went 12-5 that season before a first-round playoff loss to the Packers.

Prescott then played in just eight games in 2024 before a hamstring injury ended his season. Backup Cooper Rush was fine in relief, leading the team to a 4-4 finish to the year with a 12-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Tolzien is well regarded for his work with both signal-callers.

The former Wisconsin quarterback will now search for his next coaching stop. As Rapoport implies, he shouldn’t be unemployed for long.

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Five former Badgers advance to NFL conference championship round

Five former Badgers advance to NFL playoffs conference championships

Following a hectic divisional round weekend, five former Wisconsin Badgers advanced to play in the NFL’s conference championships.

All four remaining teams feature at least one UW alumnus, ensuring a former Badger will hoist the Super Bowl trophy on Feb. 9.

In a thrilling back-and-forth game, linebacker Zack Baun and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame the Los Angeles Rams, 28-22, in a snowstorm. Baun, who pocketed his first All-Pro appearance this season, will head to the NFC championship game for the first time in his five-year professional career.

Baun finished with six tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.

The linebacker will square off against Washington Commanders’ linemen Tyler Biadasz and Michael Deiter in Philadelphia on Jan. 26. It will be Washington’s first conference championship appearance in more than 30 seasons. Fueled by budding star Jayden Daniels, the Commanders defeated Kevin Zeitler’s Detroit Lions, 45-31, in an improbable shootout.

In the AFC, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and linebacker Leo Chenal defeated Dare Ogunbowale’s Houston Texans, 23-14, to advance to the team’s seventh consecutive AFC championship game. Chenal solidified the win with a blocked field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Finally, Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills conquered Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens in one of the most anticipated games of the 2024-25 season. Badger alumnus David Edwards advances to the AFC title game as a result.

All five athletes represent Wisconsin’s offensive line or linebacker unit.

Former Wisconsin linebacker snags interception in Eagles playoff win over the Packers

Wisconsin Badger linebacker snags interception in Eagles playoff win over the Packers

Former Wisconsin and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun starred in his third career NFL playoff game on Sunday.

Baun, who recently earned a spot on the 2024 AP All-Pro first team, continued his stellar play in the Eagles’ 22-10 Wild Card victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Brown Deer, Wisconsin native logged eight total tackles, including four solo stops, as one of Philadelphia’s defensive cornerstones. His most impactful play, however, did not involve a tackle.

With 45 seconds remaining in the first half, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love dropped back in the pocket on a second-down sequence and heaved a ball down the middle of the field. Down just 10-0, the Packers possessed the ball at the Eagles’ 48-yard line and threatened to score.

Baun, who shifted over from the right hash, tracked down the pass and reeled in the football for his third career interception — first in the playoffs.

While Philadelphia ultimately did not capitalize on the ensuing possession, Baun prevented Love and the Packers from gaining any type of momentum prior to the half.

Love threw three total interceptions during the contest. The turnover to Baun was easily the most devastating.

Baun and the Eagles will continue their season next weekend against either the Los Angeles Rams or Minnesota Vikings.

Two former Wisconsin Badgers earn spots on AP NFL All-Pro second team

Two former Wisconsin Badgers earn spots on AP NFL All-Pro second team

Former Wisconsin outside linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and T.J. Watt earned spots on the 2024 AP NFL All-Pro second team on Friday.

This marks Watt’s fifth All-Pro nod. Van Ginkel, meanwhile, received the designation for the first time in his six-year career.

The two playmakers were placed in the platoons ‘edge rushers’ unit alongside Denver Broncos star Nik Bonitto. Other notable defenders on the second team include lineman Jalen Carter (Philadelphia Eagles), linebacker Bobby Wagner (Washington Commanders), cornerback Derwin James (Los Angeles Chargers) and safety Kyle Hamilton (Baltimore Ravens).

Watt, who earned team MVP honors for the fifth time in his eight-year tenure with the Steelers, finished the regular season with 61 total tackles 11 1/2 sacks, 19 tackles for a loss, 27 quarterback hits, six forced fumbles, four pass deflections and two fumble recoveries. Earlier this year, he also became the second-fastest player in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks.

Like Watt, Van Ginkel devoured opposing offenses in 2024. In his first season as a Viking, the Iowa native recorded 79 total tackles, 19 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for loss, 11 1/2 sacks, six pass deflections and a pair of pick-sixes for the Vikings’ defensive unit.

In Week 16 against the Seahawks, he became the first player since Jason Taylor to notch at least two pick-sixes and 10 sacks in a single season.

The stellar season also propelled Van Ginkel to his first career Pro Bowl appearance.

Both defensive game-wreckers will suit up for the 2025 NFL playoffs for their respective teams. Watt will lead the Steelers defense into Baltimore, while Van Ginkel and the Vikings will travel to face the Los Angeles Rams.

Former Wisconsin linebacker named to AP NFL All-Pro first team

Former Wisconsin linebacker named AP First Team All-Pro

Former Wisconsin and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun received yet another impressive accolade on Friday.

Baun, who represented the Badgers from 2015-19, was named to the 2024 AP All-Pro first team. He is one of three inside linebackers on the unit along with Fred Warner (San Francisco 49ers) and Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens).

Other notable names on the unit include edge Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), edge Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals), lineman Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs) and cornerback Patrick Surtain II (Denver Broncos).

With the nomination, the Brown Deer, Wisconsin native becomes the 15th former Badger to earn NFL All-Pro status.

Baun did virtually everything for the Eagles this season. In 16 starts, the 28-year-old tallied 151 total tackles 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, four pass deflections and 3 1/2 sacks. With the output, he became the first player in NFL history to record at least 150 tackles and five forced fumbles in a single season.

ProFootballFocus also named Baun its ‘Breakout Player of the Year’ for the 2024 slate with a 90.1 overall grade, the highest among any linebacker in the league. On top of everything, Baun is also a Pro Bowler for the first time in his five-year career.

The most impressive part of Baun’s season revolves around his previous four years as a pro. After amassing 88 combined tackles and two sacks from 2020-23 with the New Orleans Saints, Baun shattered his previous career-high totals in historic fashion.

Fueled by Baun’s stellar play at inside linebacker, the Eagles defense finished the season leading the league in total defense (280.9 yards allowed per game) and third in points allowed per game (18.1). The NFC’s No. 2-seed will now square off against a dynamic Green Bay Packers offense on Jan. 12 in Philadelphia.[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]

Former Wisconsin linebacker named ProFootballFocus’ 2024 NFL ‘Breakout Player of the Year’

Former Wisconsin linebacker named ProFootballFocus’ 2024 NFL Breakout Player of the Year

Former Wisconsin and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun was named ProFootballFocus’ 2024 ‘Breakout Player of the Year’ on Wednesday.

The honor is nowhere near surprising. After amassing 88 combined tackles and two sacks from 2020-23 with the New Orleans Saints, Baun emerged as the engine of the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive unit in 2024.

Baun shattered his previous career bests with 151 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, four pass deflections and 3 1/2 sacks during the regular season. His 151 tackles were tied for the sixth-most in the NFL behind Zaire Franklin (Colts), Budda Baker (Cardinals), Robert Spillane (Raiders), Jamien Sherwood (Falcons) and Roquan Smith (Ravens).

The former Badger also pocketed a 90.1 PFF grade for his contributions leading an NFL-best defensive unit, the highest among any linebacker in the league. He and San Fransisco 49ers superstar Fred Warner were the two inside linebackers on the outlet’s First-Team All-Pro unit. To put that into context, Baun didn’t crack PFF’s top 32 linebacker power ranking before the season began.

Baun’s ascendance is inarguably the most impressive by any defensive player this season. The output earned him a Pro Bowl nod alongside fellow Badgers Andrew Van Ginkel and T.J. Watt.

His Eagles now sit at No. 2 in the NFC playoff picture prior, set to host the No. 7-seed Green Bay Packers in Wild Card Round.

Which former Wisconsin Badgers are headed to the NFL playoffs?

Which former Wisconsin Badgers are headed to the NFL playoffs?

Following an 18-week season, 14 former Wisconsin Badgers are officially slated to suit up for the 2025 NFL Playoffs.

With the Denver Broncos’ 38-0 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the playoff field is officially set. A total of 14 teams, seven from each conference, will appear in the postseason starting next weekend.

Of those 14 squads, nine feature Wisconsin football alumni. David Edwards (Bills), Kevin Zeitler (Lions), Rob Havenstein (Rams), Tyler Biadasz (Commanders) and Michael Deiter (Commanders) will lace up as former Wisconsin offensive linemen in the playoffs. Whether it be guard, center, or tackle, fans can find the greatest number of former Badgers on the offensive line this postseason.

Elsewhere on offense, running back Dare Ogunbowale (Texans) will return to the playoffs for the second straight season, while quarterback Russell Wilson (Steelers) will make his first playoff appearance since Jan. 9, 2021.

At linebacker, the most star-studded position for UW alumni this season, Leo Chenal (Chiefs) will look to collect his third consecutive Super Bowl, Andrew Van Ginkel (Vikings) will aim to make a deep run with Minnesota, Zack Baun (Eagles) will face the hungry Green Bay Packers in Philadelphia, and the group of  T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, Keeanu Benton and Isaiahh Loudermilk (Steelers) will all return to the postseason under head coach Mike Tomlin.

The player with arguably the highest chance to advance to the Super Bowl is Chenal on the No. 1-seed Chiefs. Van Ginkel, Baun and Zeitler could each challenge the two-time defending champion if their teams come out of the NFC.

Four former Wisconsin Badgers earn bids to 2025 Pro Bowl Games

Four former Wisconsin Badgers earn bids to 2025 Pro Bowl Games

Four former Wisconsin Badgers earned spots in the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Thursday.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt, Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker Zack Baun and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor are the former Wisconsin stars selected.

Both Baun and Van Ginkel will make their Pro Bowl debuts for the NFC squad on Feb. 2 in Orlando, Florida. Taylor, who last participated in 2021, will make his return for his second Pro Bowl bid of his career. Watt, one of the most dominant defensive players of the generation, will appear in his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl.

While Taylor and Watt’s respective inclusions on the Pro Bowl roster crew are impressive, the main storylines for Badger fans surround Van Ginkel and Baun.

Both linebackers entered the 2024 season looking to prove themselves on new teams. Each have put together two of the more elite seasons across the league.

Baun has amassed 151 total tackles, 93 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and 3 1/2 sacks for the Eagles’ league-best defense. Van Ginkel, who recently became the first player since Hall of Famer Jason Taylor to log at least 10 sacks and two pick-sixes in a single season, has totaled 72 total tackles, 11 1/2 sacks and 17 tackles for loss for the 14-2 Vikings.

Alongside his 11 1/2 sacks and 19 tackles for loss, Watt leads the league with six forced fumbles for the 10-6 Steelers. Taylor, meanwhile, punched his Pro Bowl ticket with a 1,254-yard, 10-touchdown campaign with the Colts.

Barring deep playoff runs from all four teams, this quartet of former Badgers will don Pro Bowl uniforms in February.