As confetti fell following the Philadelphia Eagles’ historic 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, defensive end Brandon Graham had a message for linebacker Zack Baun.
“Aye, go get paid, boy. I know it’s gonna be here, though,” Graham told Baun. “They ain’t going nowhere. They’d get on Howie a– if they don’t.”
It was at that moment that Graham knew general manager Howie Roseman and the rest of Philly’s front office would not mess things up by letting Baun go or fans would be nagging them for years to come.
And he was right.
The Eagles ended up re-signining Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract on Wednesday and made him one of the highest-paid linebackers in the NFL. The deal also includes $34 million guaranteed and another $1.5 million in incentives.
“Eagles are re-signing All-Pro LB Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract, including $34 million guaranteed at signing and additional $1.5 million in incentives and escalators, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on X on Wednesday, March 5. “The contract instantly makes Baun one of the highest-paid LBs in the NFL.”
Baun’s journey to landing a massive new contract is an incredible and well-deserved one.
The Eagles had originally signed the former New Orleans Saints 2020 third-round pick to a one-year, $3.5 million deal in NFL free agency last March. They thought he would be just a depth piece.
That idea changed when defensive coordinator Vic Fangio moved him from outside to inside linebacker. Baun would go on to appear in all 17 games and produce career highs across the board with 151 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles. He also made his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl nod.
While locking in Baun was the right move, there was still zero certainty that the Eagles would be able to pull off keeping him in Philly with NFL free agency looming.
However, Graham called it from miles away.
