As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Buffalo Bills could look beyond safety options and turn their attention to the linebacker position, with Philadelphia Eagles veteran Zack Baun emerging as a potential candidate. The trade deadline falls on November 10, twelve days away and following Week 9, while the Philadelphia Eagles enter Week 8 with a 2-5 record and Jalen Hurts on injured reserve.
Zack Baun’s Background and Rise in Philadelphia
Baun is a 29-year-old veteran with over 3,300 career snaps, including playoffs, on his resume. During his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin from 2015 to 2019, he developed under current Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who was then the Badgers’ defensive coordinator. The New Orleans Saints selected Baun in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, deploying him primarily as an edge rusher. Although his final season in New Orleans showed productive flashes with a 10.9% pressure rate, 30 tackles, four tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and one interception, the Saints struggled to find his ideal role.
In 2024, Baun signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, who shifted him to a full-time off-ball linebacker role that still offered blitzing opportunities. The transition yielded first-team All-Pro honors after he recorded 151 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four pass breakups during the regular season. He subsequently led the team with 33 tackles and two interceptions in the playoffs as the Eagles won the Super Bowl, earning a three-year, $51 million extension with Philadelphia.
This season, Baun’s snap distribution consists of 82.5% in the box, 11.7% as a slot defender, 4.6% on the defensive line, and two snaps each at free safety and wide corner out of 408 total snaps. His past two seasons in Philadelphia have yielded career highs of 16 pressures in each year despite logging fewer than 100 pass-rushing opportunities.
Fit and Financial Impact for the Bills
While Kaleb Elarms-Orr has increased his playing time in Buffalo’s three-man inside linebacker rotation, Baun could serve as a plug-and-play option and pass-rushing asset if the team feels Dorian Williams—whose rookie deal ends after this season—or Terrel Bernard are underperforming. Financially, trading for Baun after Week 9 would leave Buffalo responsible for $607,500 of his $1.215 million base salary for 2026. However, his 2027 cap number jumps to an even $17 million due to a $14.405 million option bonus, $1.315 million base salary, $1 million roster bonus, and a $250,000 workout bonus, though a new agreement could be negotiated.
According to Syndicate32.com’s trade machine, the projected cost to acquire Baun is a late second-round pick in 2027 and a seventh-round pick in 2028, a price boosted by his inexpensive 2026 base salary. While Baun’s connection to Jim Leonhard and his ability to act as an extension of the defensive coordinator on the field present strong upside, parting with a second-round selection for a linebacker who turns 30 in December remains a point of debate. Securing Baun for a Day 3 selection would represent a shrewd transaction for Buffalo at this juncture.
