Breakout Eagles starter picked to leave Philadelphia for Bengals in 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles should have extended Zack Baun yesterday.

Philly’s breakout star at inside linebacker appears to get more confident and comfortable by the week, and NFL analysts believe the former No. 74 overall pick of the New Orleans Saints will strike it rich if he hits free agency as scheduled in 2025.

The Eagles certainly have the inside track to extend Baun’s stay in Philadelphia, and they’ll likely explore all avenues for a player who’s racked up 118 total tackles in just 12 games this season. But if Baun avoids the franchise tag — Philly hasn’t used it since tagging DeSean Jackson in 2012 — Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report sees a potential bidding war for Baun’s services this March.

In his AFC Scouting Reports for Week 14, Ballentine picked the Cincinnati Bengals as a potential landing spot for Baun, should he decide to move on from Philly. Here was his take on what would be a blockbuster signing:

“Zack Baun is experiencing an incredible career turnaround with the Philadelphia Eagles,” Ballentine wrote, “so it would be kind of surprising to see him leave Philly. Then again, the Eagles haven’t always valued the linebacker position, so it isn’t impossible. If he does wind up hitting the open market, the Bengals should be looking into him. Baun has been an elite run-stuffer for the Eagles this season. His ability to get downhill and erase running lanes is exactly what the Bengals could use to fix their faulty run defense right now.”

The fit with Cincinnati is obvious, as Ballentine listed five defensive positions (including linebacker) as top needs entering Week 14.

On the other side, GM Howie Roseman and the Eagles could have a busy offseason ahead of them, with extending Baun likely near the top of their wish list.

He won’t be their only priority, though, with key starters like DT Milton Williams and RG Mekhi Becton also up for new, potentially lucrative deals. EDGE rusher should remain a top concern as well, with the $51 million Bryce Huff looking like a complete bust, and decisions looming on veteran Josh Sweat and the 36-year-old Brandon Graham.

It’s hard to see Baun flying the nest after one season, especially with how tight this current Eagles roster has become. But business is business, and re-signing Baun will require the type of funds — likely in the range of $10 million AAV — that make a return to Philly far from a guarantee at this point in the process.