Former Saints linebacker steals the show in his Eagles debut

In a thrilling NFL season opener in São Paulo, Brazil, former New Orleans Saints linebacker Zack Baun made an immediate impact for his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Baun’s outstanding performance was key in the Eagles’ 34-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

NBC/Peacock named Baun one of the players of the game, along with running back Saquon Barkley (3 touchdowns) and wide receiver AJ Brown (5 receptions, 119 yards, 1 TD).

His most notable play came in the final seconds of the game when he sacked Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis on a desperate attempt to seal the win for Philadelphia. Baun recorded 15 tackles and two sacks, sealing his best game as a professional football player.

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Baun, 27, put on a dominant performance that could mark a turning point in his NFL career. After four seasons with the New Orleans Saints in which he flashed potential but struggled to secure a consistent starting spot, this game could be the catalyst for a breakout year. In his final season with the Saints in 2023, Baun recorded 26 total tackles, two sacks and one interception in 17 games.

New Orleans selected Baun out of the University of Wisconsin with the 74th pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker’s career with the Saints included 62 games, 14 starts, 74 tackles, two sacks, two passes defensed and one interception.

The game in Brazil, the first NFL regular-season game in South America, provided the perfect stage for Baun to showcase himself as a player to watch in the Eagles’ defense. His performance helped justify Philadelphia’s decision to sign him as a free agent and showcased his potential to be a major factor in their defensive scheme.

New Orleans struggled during training camp to find a reliable linebacker to replace Demario Davis, Pete Werner and Willie Gay.

As the Eagles look to rebound from a disappointing end to their 2023 season, Baun’s emergence could be a major factor in their success in the 2024 season. If he can maintain this level of play, the former Wisconsin Badger may have found the ideal situation to advance his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles.