PHILADELPHIA – When Jordan Love looked down the field, he didn’t notice Zack Baun, yet the Philadelphia Eagles linebacker was perfectly positioned to make a play.

As Love assessed the field during the wild-card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, Baun was lined up between the hashmarks, dropping back into coverage. Having previously served mostly on special teams before joining the Eagles on a one-year contract this offseason, Baun showed his instincts as he transitioned off his coverage (tight end Tucker Kraft) to intercept a pass intended for Malik Heath, just as the Eagles held a 10-0 lead with under a minute in the first half.

After the Eagles’ victory, Baun described his interception as a “dream interception.” It wasn’t just about the playoffs, but rather a testament to the trust and freedom he has received from both his teammates and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

“With Vic, you need to earn that freedom,” said Baun, who viewed the interception as a play based on initiative and confidence.

He emphasized: “If I didn’t make that play, we’d be looking at a 10-yard gain. … It’s all about trust—trust from the guys around me and trust in my own skills. I went for it, and it paid off.”

This mutual trust between Baun and Fangio has grown throughout the season, Baun noted, adding it has made their collaboration “really cool.”

“It took time for us to understand the scheme, and for Vic and the coaches to see what we can do,” he shared cheerfully in the Eagles’ locker room after a 22-10 win that advanced them to the divisional round against the Los Angeles Rams. “That really shapes what plays can be called.”

Baun wasn’t sure exactly when this trust developed.

“I’m not sure,” he chuckled. “It just happened. It’s there now.”

As a result, Baun has had a standout 2024 season, earning a spot on the first-team All-Pro list for inside linebackers.

That’s remarkable for someone who played just 27.7% of the defensive snaps during his final season with the Saints.

How Eagles’ Zack Baun Realized His Full Potential with Vic Fangio

Even Fangio, a veteran defensive coordinator and former Denver Broncos head coach, didn’t foresee Baun’s success this season, although he did have the insight to shift him to off-ball linebacker.

“It’s tough to say … but players shouldn’t be limited,” Fangio stated. “Setting limits leads to limited performance. We should push players to reach their highest potential.”

“Clearly, he’s had an outstanding year. He’s surpassed most expectations, perhaps even his own. But there are no boundaries now. He’s established a benchmark for himself and must continue to show up each week.”

Fangio refrained from comparing Baun’s season to other inside linebackers he’s coached, but he expressed how pleased he has been with Baun’s performance: “He’s playing exceptionally well, and we’re very happy to have him.”

Baun started more games this season (16) than he did in his four-year tenure with the Saints (14), matching his career sack total (2.0) in the season opener in Brazil against the Packers. Although his sack production dwindled afterward, Fangio and his teammates aren’t stressing about that, focusing instead on Baun’s contributions beyond pass-rushing, which he excelled in during college (12 ½ sacks in his final year at Wisconsin).

He recorded 15 tackles (11 solo) against the Packers in Week 1 and had a dynamic start to the season, as noted by fellow inside linebacker Oren Burks following the wild-card win over Green Bay.

“From the first game against the Packers, he was firing on all cylinders, letting the game unfold naturally and showcasing his abilities as a playmaker,” Burks remarked about Baun.

Baun’s adaptability, stemming from his experience as an outside linebacker, has been a valuable asset, yet Fangio hesitated to reassign him to that position, even following Brandon Graham’s season-ending injury.

“His year has been remarkable,” Burks stated. “I believe it reflects the dedication he has shown throughout his career, finding the right fit here in Philadelphia. It’s been great to see a team player take advantage of more defensive opportunities. He has worked incredibly hard, and I’m really proud of him.”

The inside linebacker spot had posed challenges for past Eagles defenses, and Fangio recognized he needed to strengthen the position upon his arrival.

“I’m thrilled for him, but after he made those initial crucial plays this season, the possibilities for him really opened up,” outside linebacker Josh Sweat shared with YSL News Sports. “(I’m) telling you, especially given our linebacker struggles in previous years—it’s just the truth—we couldn’t achieve this without him.”

Nakobe Dean, a third-round draft pick in 2022, had been ready to step into a starting role while also serving as the defensive play-caller with the “green dot” linked to Fangio’s headset. However, an injury to his knee in the recent game against the Packers will sideline him for the rest of the playoffs. Consequently, Baun will need to elevate his game and serve as the communicator among Philadelphia’s other defensive players and Fangio.

Baun referred to Dean as “my brother,” acknowledging how much he learned from him, praising Dean as the “ultimate leader of the defense.”

“It truly hurts to see anyone go down, especially him,” Baun expressed.

How much more will the Eagles look to Baun now that Dean is out?

“(Expletive), a bit more,” Sweat said. “Others will step in and be ready; we’ve already seen Oren do that. We’d like Nakobe to be here, without a doubt, but unfortunately, this is how it is.”

In Dean’s absence against the Packers, Burks stepped up, and Fangio mentioned that rookie Jeremiah Trotter Jr. might play more extensively.

Burks commended Dean as an unrecognized hero of the defense who earned respect through physical play and positioning teammates effectively. These responsibilities now fall to Baun, who has absorbed Fangio’s system alongside his colleagues, creating a stronger bond within the entire unit, according to Burks.

“The respect in our room is immense, with everyone handling their responsibilities from top to bottom,” Burks noted. “Learning from one another is enjoyable. We’re all understanding the system together.”

For Baun, this evolution involved mastering Fangio’s coverage schemes in addition to his prior emphasis on pass-rushing techniques.

“Vic doesn’t often use complicated fronts or pressure packages on third downs, but he often implements complex coverage strategies,” Baun elaborated. “This requires a highly intelligent and communicative defense to manage effectively. I believe what distinguishes Vic is his ability to call plays situationally and knowing when to deploy certain strategies.”

Despite an overall successful campaign, Baun encountered some challenges. For instance, Fangio wished he had seen Baun stay tighter in coverage against Washington Commanders receiver Jamison Crowder longer during a critical situation in Week 16 to limit the throwing window for Jayden Daniels on the winning touchdown pass.

Nonetheless, it was Fangio’s scouting that opened the door for Baun to start in the league. During the regular season, Fangio stated in relation to his evaluation process for players that he doesn’t adhere to conventional criteria. The 66-year-old relies on his own observations and experience rather than mainstream views.

“I trust my eyes and my instincts,” Fangio remarked. “Many chase popular opinions for an easy decision, but that’s not who I am.”

Eagles executive vice president Howie Roseman initially highlighted the potential of signing Baun, but envisioned him as a backup outside linebacker and a special teams standout, as Fangio noted.

“After reviewing the film, I concluded, ‘No, he’s actually an inside linebacker,’” Fangio remarked. “Fortunately, that approach worked out.”

Luck played a minor role in Baun’s rise. The synergy with Fangio, extensive preparation during the week, and genuine results on the field are significant factors. And while Love might have missed him, Baun has certainly become a notable presence in Philadelphia moving into 2024.