Zack Baun has established himself as an indispensable defensive playmaker in the National Football League.
Selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints out of the University of Wisconsin, Baun entered the professional ranks possessing strong athleticism and positional flexibility.
After spending his initial four seasons primarily in rotational depth and special teams roles in New Orleans, his career trajectory underwent a structural shift upon joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024.
Complete Career Defensive Statistics (2020–2026)
Over the course of 96 career regular-season games, Baun has accumulated 378 total tackles, comprising 226 solo tackles and 152 assisted tackles. His defensive versatility is highlighted by 9.0 career sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions, 15 passes defensed, and 31 defensive stuffs behind or at the line of scrimmage, totaling 30 yards lost.
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | AST | SACK | FF | FR | INT | PD | STF | STFYDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | NO | 15 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 |
| 2021 | NO | 17 | 30 | 22 | 8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 |
| 2022 | NO | 13 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.5 | 1 |
| 2023 | NO | 17 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.5 | 5 |
| 2024 | PHI | 16 | 151 | 93 | 58 | 3.5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 15.0 | 16 |
| 2025 | PHI | 16 | 123 | 64 | 59 | 3.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 7.5 | 6 |
| 2026 | PHI | 2 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 |
| Career | Total | 96 | 378 | 226 | 152 | 9.0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 31.0 | 30 |
Comparative Era Evaluation (New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
A quantitative comparison of Baun’s career reveals a massive shift between his tenure with the New Orleans Saints (2020–2023) and his time with the Philadelphia Eagles (2024–2026).
In New Orleans, Baun appeared in 62 games, totaling 88 tackles and averaging roughly 1.42 tackles per game. Upon signing with Philadelphia, his role expanded into an off-ball starting linebacker position, resulting in 290 tackles across 34 games—an average of 8.53 tackles per game.
| Performance Category | New Orleans Saints Era (2020–2023) | Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024–2026) | Trajectory Differential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Games Played | 62 Games | 34 Games | Transition to full-time starting role |
| Total Tackles (TOT) | 88 Total Tackles | 290 Total Tackles | +202 Tackle Increase |
| Solo Tackles (SOLO) | 60 Solo Tackles | 166 Solo Tackles | +106 Solo Tackle Increase |
| Sacks Generated | 2.0 Total Sacks | 7.0 Total Sacks | +5.0 Sack Increase |
| Forced Fumbles (FF) | 0 Forced Fumbles | 6 Forced Fumbles | +6 Forced Fumbles |
| Passes Defensed (PD) | 2 Passes Defensed | 13 Passes Defensed | +11 Pass Deflections |
| Stuffs (Tackles for Loss) | 7.0 Total Stuffs | 24.0 Total Stuffs | +17.0 Stuff Increase |
| Average Tackles / Game | ~1.42 Tackles per Game | ~8.53 Tackles per Game | +7.11 Tackles per Game Increase |
2026 Game-by-Game Breakdown
In the early stages of the 2026 NFL season, Baun continues to serve as a steady anchor in the interior of the Eagles’ defense.
Through the first three weeks of play, he has recorded 14 total tackles and 3 passes defensed, demonstrating consistent run discipline and short-zone coverage.
| Date | Opponent | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions | Passes Defensed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 14, 2026 | vs. Commanders | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 |
| Sep 20, 2026 | @ Titans | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 29, 2026 | @ Bears | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 Log Totals | 3 Games | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 |
Impact Play Production & Disruptive Efficiency Analysis
Beyond volume tackle accumulation, Baun’s playmaking capacity is defined by turnover creation and behind-the-line disruption. During his breakout 2024 campaign, he forced 5 fumbles, logged 3.5 sacks, and executed 15 defensive stuffs.
He sustained this level of production in 2025 by adding another 3.5 sacks, 7 passes defensed, and a fumble recovery, establishing himself as a complete, multi-dimensional linebacker.
| Play Category | Career Total | Single-Season High | Primary Peak Season | Tactical Impact Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Sacks | 9.0 | 3.5 | 2024 & 2025 | Effective blitz execution and interior/edge rushing schemes |
| Forced Fumbles | 6 | 5 | 2024 | High-impact ball-striking tackling technique |
| Fumble Recoveries | 2 | 1 | 2024 & 2025 | Strategic fumble recovery and opportunistic positioning |
| Passes Defensed | 15 | 7 | 2025 | Coverage discipline in short and intermediate passing zones |
| Defensive Stuffs | 31.0 | 15.0 | 2024 | Direct run-gap plugging at or behind the line of scrimmage |
