Over the last three games, the Eagles have improved their turnover ratio from -6 to a +1.
Linebacker Zack Baun has played a big role in that turnaround. He's accounted fro a takeaway in three consecutive games, but turned that up a notch in Sunday's win over Dallas with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery to go along with eight tackles, including one for loss.
The NFL recognized Baun's efforts on Wednesday by naming him the NFC's Defensive Player of the Week. It is the first time that Baun, a fifth-year veteran, has earned a league award. Saquon Barkley is the other Eagle to have been honored by the league this season with three Player of the Week awards to date.
In his first season with the Eagles, Baun has already set a new career high with 87 tackles, tied a career high with two sacks and an interception, and registered the first forced fumbles (3) and fumble recovery of his career.
"I think through my time in New Orleans (where he was a third-round pick in 2020), of course people say I was an on-ball linebacker, but when I was in New Orleans, I was putting in the time, putting in just the same amount of work as the starters were, just to prepare for a moment like this, my opportunity. And all I had to do was take advantage and just let it fly," Baun said after the win in Dallas."
Baun credited the vision and plan that the Eagles and Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio had for him when he signed on the first day of free agency.
"They embrace me so much, the coaches, the players, the cafeteria staff – everyone just accepted me like a big family. The people in the building made it really easy for me to transition here," Baun added.
Baun is Pro Football Focus' third-best off-ball linebacker in 2024 and No. 2 coverage off-ball linebacker behind only perennial All-Pro Fred Warner.
According to NFL's Next Gen Stats, Baun has recorded a 17.3% run stop rate in 2024, generating -26.5 run stop EPA, while also allowing -26.1 target EPA in coverage. Baun ranks in the top five in each of those three metrics.
Even with the success that he has found in his new home, Baun has focused on finding ways to improve each and every week. It's no different for him than when he was trying to break into the lineup with the Saints.
"I'm just grinding at every little thing and putting the time in; I'm trying to be a complete linebacker," Baun said.
