"It is my time," linebacker Zack Baun told the New Orleans media heading into the final year of his rookie deal after being selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin.

After Kaden Elliss, brother of Eagles defensive tackle Noah, signed a three-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons in last year's free agency frenzy, Baun's path for more playing time opened up – and he took advantage with career highs across the board, including his first career sacks (2) and interception (the first thrown by No. 2 draft pick and eventual NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud). His performance in 17 games (6 starts) caught the eye of the Eagles, who agreed to terms with the 27-year-old linebacker on a one-year deal on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Baun was noted by the Saints for his abilities as "an athletic, sideline-to-sideline linebacker, possessing the combination of pass rush skills and the ability to drop in coverage." He played a career-high 301 snaps on defense this past season, nearly as much as his first three seasons combined, as he transitioned from an edge rusher at Wisconsin to a hybrid linebacker in the NFL. The Saints unleashed him late in the 2023 season as he rushed the quarterback 99 times in the final six games of the season compared to 33 times in the first 11, according to Pro Football Focus.

In his four NFL seasons, Baun has played 62 career games (14 starts) and also brings extensive special teams experience with 23 career tackles and a punt block in the 2023 season opener against Tennessee.

At Wisconsin, Baun was the first consensus All-American linebacker in program history when he started all 14 games and ranked second in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (19.5) and sacks (12.5) in 2019. The Brown Deer, Wisconsin native was named the top high school senior quarterback in the state, rushing for a state-high 39 touchdowns and accounting for 59 total touchdowns in 2014.