Should the Broncos sign LB Zack Baun?

Should the Broncos sign All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun in free agency?

The Denver Broncos linebackers really struggled this past season. They lost leading tackler Alex Singleton early on in the year and had to rely on Cody Barton and special teamer Justin Strnad to be their starting linebackers. While both players had their moments this past year, they really struggled in the final month of the season.

We saw teams target the Broncos’ linebackers in the passing game and they started to struggle to stop the run. This was the case in the Broncos’ wildcard loss to the Bills who had no issues running the ball against their defense.

On top of this, you have Alex Singleton at age 31, coming off an ACL injury, entering the final year of his deal, and is viewed as a potential cap cut for the Broncos. Meanwhile, Cody Barton and Justin Strnad who were your starters last season are both free agents. So, the Broncos have some serious work to do this offseason at their linebacker position.

One player who could be a top priority for the Broncos in free agency is Eagles All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun. The former Sean Payton draft pick never amounted to much with the Saints, played some on the edge, and was mostly viewed as a special teamer. However, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio saw something in Baun, and moved him to off-the-ball linebacker and he would go on to thrive and have a breakout career year for the Eagles.

He played in 16 regular season games for the Eagles and totaled 151 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 5 QB hits, 1 interception, 4 pass deflections, and 5 forced fumbles. During the Eagles’ postseason run, Baun totaled 33 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 2 interceptions, 3 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble. Previously with the Saints, Baun played in 62 games which included 14 starts where he totaled just 88 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 8 QB hits, 1 interception, and 2 pass deflections.

With Baun hitting free agency, could he be the answer to the Broncos linebacker woes?

Player Profile

Player: Zack Baun

Position: Linebacker

Height: 6-3

Weight: 225 pounds

Age: 28 years old

Experience: 6th NFL season

Should the Broncos sign linebacker Zack Baun?

The Broncos have a major glaring need at linebacker and an All-Pro linebacker could be available on the free agent market. So, of course, they should be interested in signing Baun in free agency.

He was drafted by Sean Payton back in 2020, so there is a connection there, and would instantly improve the Broncos linebacker room. Right now, they have 31-year-old Alex Singleton coming off an ACL injury and Drew Sanders at linebacker and that’s not going to cut it. Baun would give them an All-Pro talent at inside linebacker, someone to lead the middle of their defense and improve an already really good Broncos defense.

An area the Broncos linebackers struggled at was in coverage and that is where Baun excelled for the Eagles last season. Having a linebacker who can cover tight ends and running backs would instantly improve Vance Joseph’s defense.

It’s really a no-brainer and adding another All-Pro player to this defense who was also a finalist for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award should be a priority for the Broncos this offseason.

Why the Broncos will not sign LB Zack Baun in free agency

Why would he want to leave the Eagles? He thrived in Vic Fangio’s defense, just won a Super Bowl with the Eagles and there likely will be mutual interest between the two about re-signing. Before this season, the Eagles had a weakness at linebacker and Baun solved that so I’d be surprised if they let him walk and will likely make an aggressive attempt at re-signing him.

If he does hit the free agent market, he’ll be a risky signing for the other 31 teams. He is a bit of a one-year wonder who was viewed as a tweener and a special teamer before his stint with the Eagles. Hell, even the Eagles viewed him as that as they simply signed him to a cheap one-year deal. So, the question is, can he play like he did this past season away from Fangio and the Eagles?

On top of that, he played behind the best defensive line in football while with the Eagles. They kept him clean and allowed him to play downhill without issue much of the time. Can he produce at the same level behind a defensive line that may not be as good? That’s another question teams have to ask themselves.

Final Thoughts

The Broncos have to target Zack Baun if he becomes a free agent. He comes with risk, but every free agent comes with risk. He is coming off a first-team All-Pro season that had him as a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award. You’re a linebacker-needy team and if a player like this becomes available, you have to strike.

You are not going to break the bank for Baun and adding him would solve a lot of issues the Broncos have had at linebacker. We saw him thrive against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl which makes him even more intriguing.

Is he a risky signing? Yeah, probably, but I would roll the dice on this one and hope for the best.

What do you think Broncos Country? Should the Broncos sign linebacker Zack Baun if he hits the free-agent market?