As the 2025 NFL free agency period rapidly approaches, the Philadelphia Eagles are making it clear that re-signing Zack Baun is a top priority for the team. According to a report by Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles are looking to lock in Baun before he becomes a free agent.

While the Eagles have a reputation for not investing heavily in off-ball linebackers, Baun is not your average linebacker..

It's no surprise that the Eagles are eager to keep Baun in Philadelphia. After all, he was selected as a first-team All-Pro and finished fifth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Losing a player of that caliber would be a major blow to the Eagles, especially considering their lack of depth at the position.

But as with any contract negotiation, the question remains: how much will Baun make on his new deal?

Baun is entering his age 29 season and has only one year as a full-time starter under his belt. While that one year was undoubtedly impressive, it's a relatively small sample size of production. This could make it challenging to determine Baun's market value.

Currently, the two highest-paid linebackers in the NFL are Roquan Smith at $20 million and Fred Warner at slightly over $19 million per year. It's unlikely that Baun will surpass their salary. The next two highest-paid linebackers are Tremaine Edmunds at $18 million and Matt Milano at $14.2 million. It's possible that Baun's new contract will fall somewhere in between these two figures, possibly around $16 million per year.

The good news is that we won't have to wait long to find out. The NFL's free agency negotiating window, also known as the "legal tampering" period, begins at noon Eastern on March 10th, less than two weeks away. If the Eagles want to secure Baun's return before other teams can make offers, they'll need to act quickly.

Baun's potential return to the Eagles would be a significant boost to their defense. In addition to his impressive individual accomplishments, Baun also brings a strong leadership presence and a high football IQ to the team. He is a versatile player who can excel in both pass coverage and run defense, making him an essential piece of the Eagles' defensive puzzle.

Of course, there is always a chance that another team could swoop in with a higher offer for Baun. But the Eagles have the advantage of being able to negotiate with Baun before other teams can make contact. This gives them an opportunity to make a strong case for why Baun should stay in Philadelphia.

If the Eagles are successful in re-signing Baun, it will be a significant win for the team and their defense. Not only will they retain a top-tier player, but they will also show their commitment to building a strong and competitive team. As the free agency period approaches, all eyes will be on the Eagles and their efforts to keep Baun on their roster.