Going from a special teams ace to one of the best linebackers in the sport almost overnight was considered to be a near impossibility. Until Zack Baun did that with the Philadelphia Eagles last year.
The first-team All-Pro linebacker signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Eagles that kept him with the organization that gave him an opportunity to start when no other team would.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) reacts after making an interception against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Now, the challenge for Baun is to continue that success.
During his press conference announcing the signing, though, Baun made it clear that consistency isn't the only thing he's gunning for.
He's also trying to be perfect along the way as the Eagles begin their title defense.
“I think about what we did in one year with so many new pieces, coaches and players included, and I think about my own personal development in that same sense, where if I can move off the ball and play inside linebacker and do what I did,” Baun said. “I look at my highlights sometimes. It’s hard for me and my football mind to look at the highlights, but not think about the plays that I missed during that game or after the game. We win the game by 30 points, and all I can think about are the two plays I let up or the three plays I had bad coverage.
“So I’m a perfectionist in that way.”
Philadelphia's defense has gone through many changes this offseason with losses to stars like Josh Sweat and Milton Williams. Being able to retain a star like Baun, therefore, was extremely important.
As the team takes their first steps to a potential title repeat, Baun knows he'll have the group chasing perfect and catching excellence along the way.
