Showed Him The Money!

The Eagles didn’t even let free-agent linebacker Zack Baun test the open market.

On Wednesday, five days before the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period for free agents, the Super Bowl champion Eagles announced they they locked up Baun on a three-year deal.

ESPN first reported the blockbuster pact is for $51 million and includes $34 million guaranteed along with additional incentives for the All-Pro linebacker.

Bringing back Baun was clearly a top priority for the Eagles, who have other in-house candidates that can become free agents next week.

The contract is truly remarkable for both the team and player, as Baun – a 2024 free-agent signing – emerged from nowhere to become a Defensive Player of the Year candidate who is now among the highest-paid linebackers in the sport for an organization notorious for a tight budget at his position.

GETTY IMAGES: The Eagles rewarded LB Zack Baun with a landmark contract after his breakout 2024 season.

At the time of the reported agreement, Baun’s $17 million average per season ranks fourth among NFL inside linebackers, behind only Roquan Smith (Ravens), Fred Warner (49ers) and Trumaine Edwards (Bears).

Details on the contract’s structure will be available in the coming days, and Inside The Birds will have more on the short-term and long-term salary cap impact of the contract.

Baun, a 2020 third-round pick by the Saints, spent his first four seasons mostly playing special teams and rotating as an edge rusher in New Orleans before signing a one-year deal with the Eagles last offseason for $3.5 million.

The team intended to experiment with Baun, 28, at inside linebacker at the time of signing him but even defensive coordinator Vic Fangio would admit that he wasn’t sure the Wisconsin product would seize the job or find success in the transition.

After an impressive camp, Baun flourished during the season and throughout the playoffs, capping his breakout season with an interception of Patrick Mahomes in the team’s 44-20 Super Bowl win.

In four postseason games, Baun recorded 32 tackles, two tackles for a loss, two interceptions, three passes defended, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a hurry.

During the season, he finished fifth in the NFL in tackles (92), along with 11 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, five QB hits, an interception, and four passes defended. His five forced fumbles tied for second, helping him and Eagles running back Saquon Barkley represent the Eagles on the first-team All Pro club.

The Eagles, known for being selective spenders at specific positions, have extended their All-Pro running back and All-Pro linebacker in the past 48 hours as the NFL gets ready for the start of free agency next week.

Other in-house candidates for an extension are defensive tackle Milton Williams, offensive guard Mekhi Becton and EDGE Josh Sweat. All three will hit the open market if they don’t reach an extension by Monday.

– Geoff Mosher (@geoffmoshernfl) is co-host of the “Inside the Birds” podcast and staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com