Eagles Make Key Offseason Moves to Bolster Defense and Secure Top Talent
The Philadelphia Eagles have been busy this offseason, making significant moves to compensate for the departure of key players from last year’s Super Bowl roster. In an effort to maintain their elite defense, the team added Azeez Ojulari, Josh Uche, and Adoree Jackson to strengthen their depth. These acquisitions aim to help the Eagles remain a top-tier defensive force in the league.
However, not all of Philadelphia’s pending free agents left town. The team’s most crucial offseason decision was extending All-Pro linebacker Zach Baun on a three-year, $51 million contract. The deal came as no surprise, given Baun’s exceptional performance last season, which earned him a spot as a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
ESPN analyst Seth Walder praised the move, giving it an ‘A’ grade. According to Walder, securing Baun on a long-term deal at a fair market rate was a smart decision for the Eagles. He highlighted the team’s savvy coaching and player development, noting that the Eagles initially signed Baun to a one-year, $1.6 million contract and converted him to an off-ball linebacker. The transformation resulted in one of the best defensive performances in the league.
“Philly signing Baun to a one-year, $1.6 million deal, shifting him to off-ball linebacker, and then getting a near-Defensive Player of the Year performance is one of the best transactions and development coaching jobs you’ll see in the NFL,” Walder said.
Baun’s impact on the field was evident through advanced metrics. Despite recording only one interception, he posted a remarkable minus-26 expected points added (EPA) as the nearest defender in 2024, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. This was by far the best mark for a linebacker, with the next closest player registering a minus-11 EPA.
With Baun locked in and new defensive reinforcements joining the roster, the Eagles appear determined to maintain their dominance. The combination of retaining their top talent and adding proven playmakers gives them a strong foundation as they aim for another Super Bowl run.
Leave a Reply