Will Howie Roseman repeat the Brian Dawkins mistake with Zack Baun as the Eagles approach free agency? Baun is too good for the Eagles to lose in free agency. Roseman can't let it happen.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles biggest priority in free agency may be Zack Baun, who parlayed a one-year contract with the franchise into an All-Pro season and Defensive Player of the Year finalist.

Zack Baun is enjoying the afterglow of the Super Bowl win but knows he'll soon need to think about his future.

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Super Bowl stars Milton Williams and Zack Baun were among Eagles free agents with difficult decisions to make on their futures

The inside linebacker market has stagnated a bit since Fred Warner and Shaquille Leonard ‘s paydays in 2021. Only one player — Roquan Smith — has since eclipsed those deals, and the market saw two of its top AAVs ( C.J. Mosley and Foyesade Oluokun) drop due to extensions that brought pay cuts last year.

The Brown Deer, Wisconsin, native finished the contest with a team-best seven tackles (three solo) and a crucial interception late in the second quarter. Baun's leaping pick shifted possession and allowed quarterback Jalen Hurts to complete a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver A.J. Brown to extend the Eagles' lead to 24-0.

Zack Baun’s 2024 season must have felt like a dream for him: He was signed for next to nothing, and his expectations were next to nothing. Then, he became the best linebacker in the NFL.