Zack Baun’s transformation into one of the NFL’s premier linebackers continues to receive recognition from his peers.
The Philadelphia Eagles standout landed at No. 45 in the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2026, marking his second consecutive appearance on the annual player-voted list.
Baun debuted at No. 26 last summer after earning first-team All-Pro honors and helping Philadelphia win Super Bowl LIX. He followed that breakout campaign by earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2025 and anchoring one of the NFL’s most difficult defenses to throw against.
Philadelphia allowed a league-low 14 touchdown passes and held opponents to an NFL-best 56.8% completion rate. Baun’s instincts, range and versatility were central to that success, allowing
defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to use him in coverage, against the run and as a pressure threat.
No. 45 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026…@Eagles LB Zack Baun! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/VUd3Bketx6
— NFL (@NFL) July 29, 2026
Baun finished the regular season with 117 tackles and 3½ sacks while remaining the communicator in the middle of the defense. His production confirmed that his first season with Philadelphia was not a one-year breakthrough.
The Eagles initially signed Baun to a one-year contract before the 2024 season after he spent four years playing primarily on special teams and along the edge in New Orleans. His move to inside linebacker unlocked a skill set that had not been fully utilized.
Philadelphia rewarded Baun with a three-year, $51 million contract following its Super Bowl run. He has since become one of the defense’s leaders and a foundational piece alongside Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
Baun dropped 19 spots from last year’s ranking despite another Pro Bowl season. That slide does not diminish his status within Philadelphia’s defense or across the league.
Two years after arriving as a low-risk signing, Baun has been selected by NFL players as one of football’s 50 best performers for the second straight season.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Zack Baun lands at No. 45 in NFL Top 100 Players of 2026
