This time last year, the Philadelphia Eagles had signed veteran linebacker Zack Baun to a one-year, $1.6 million deal. No one knew what to expect from Baun, who was mostly a core special-teams player with the New Orleans Saints, starting in 14 out of 62 games over four years.
However, the Eagles and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio believed that Baun could impact this defense, and they were right. In his first year as a full-time starter, Baun quickly became one of the best linebackers in the league.
The veteran linebacker had 151 combined tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, four pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. Without Baun shining in the middle of the Eagles’ defense, Philadelphia likely doesn’t make the Super Bowl. It was a hell of a gamble by the Eagles, and it paid off.
After helping the Eagles knock off the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59, Philadelphia’s brass kept Baun around for the foreseeable future. The Eagles inked the first-team All-Pro defender to a three-year, $51 million deal, which includes $34 million guaranteed.
While most fans look at the total value of Baun’s deal, the guaranteed money and AAV (average annual value) are more important.
Baun’s AAV is only $17M, which is a much better value than Minnesota Vikings linebacker Alex Van Ginkel’s new deal. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, VanGinkel received a one-year, $23 million extension, which includes $22.4 million guaranteed.
A raise in Minnesota: Vikings reached agreement today on a one-year $23 million extension that includes $22.4 million guaranteed for LB Andrew Van Ginkel, per his agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus. pic.twitter.com/CHvbOo9sBN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2025
Van Ginkel, who signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Vikings last offseason, played well in his first year with the Twin Cities. The veteran outside linebacker had 79 combined tackles, 19 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, six pass deflections, two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns), and a forced fumble.
While Van Ginkel’s numbers were great in Brian Flores’ scheme, which led to him being named to the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro, giving him a $23 million raise for one year is a risk.
Minnesota hopes the veteran defender can have another outstanding 2025 season, but it's not guaranteed.
Let’s just say if Van Ginkel doesn’t have a repeat performance this upcoming season, now they are on the hook for $23 million in 2026. Meanwhile, the Eagles are on the hook for $17.2M, $16.7M, and $17M in cash over the next few years with Baun.
Nonetheless, if Baun has another Pro Bowl/All-Pro outing in 2025, his deal will look like a steal again this time next year.