Even the very best players make mistakes sometimes.
In the case of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and NFL All-Pro Zack Baun, that moment came down like a ton of bricks in a shocking, 21-18 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 5 that saw Philadelphia’s home win streak halted at 12 games.
With the Eagles trailing 18-17 with 2:26 left in the fourth quarter, Baun was called for unnecessary roughness after a late hit on Broncos running back RJ Harvey on 3rd-and-2 at the Eagles’ 30 yard line.
Harvey was still several yards short of the first down when Baun made contact. While Denver was already in field goal range, Baun’s penalty gave the Broncos an automatic first down and chewed up precious time on the clock, giving the Eagles the ball back with just over one minute left in the game.
The Eagles dropped to 4-1 with the loss.
“Zack Baun just cost the Eagles a 3rd down stop at the most crucial time of the game,” Eagles fan account Die Hard Real Estate wrote on X. “Bonehead play.”
Baun Switched Positions in 2024
Baun switched positions to inside linebacker with the Eagles in 2024 after spending the first 4 seasons of his career at edge rusher with the New Orleans Saints.
Playing on a 1-year, $1.6 million free agent contract with the Eagles, Baun not only became a starter for the first time in his career but became one of the NFL’s best at his position.
After earning All-Pro honors and helping lead the Eagles to their second Super Bowl win in the last decade, Baun re-signed on a 3-year, $51 million contract.
“Breaking: Eagles are re-signing All-Pro LB Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract, including $34 million guaranteed at signing and additional $1.5 million in incentives and escalators, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on March 5. “The contract instantly makes Baun one of the highest-paid LBs in the NFL.”
Social Media Lights Up Baun After Penalty
It was a shocking slip up from Baun, who has been one of the most reliable players for the Eagles over the last 2 seasons.
Not everyone came down so hard on him.
“Sorry Zack Baun,” Barreldelphia Media wrote on x. “You’re not supposed to tackle the guy with the game on the line, you’ve gotta let him run. Apparently.”
“AWFUL CALL,” ML Football wrote on its official X account. Eagles linebacker Zack Baun got flagged for unnecessary roughness on this 3rd down stop.. giving Denver an automatic first down. Baun and Philadelphia had to stop Denver on this play and all he was doing was finishing the stop.”
“Zack Baun gets called for unnecessary roughness,” Eagles beat reporter E.J. Smith wrote on his official X account. There have been a few debated calls that went against the Eagles today that I haven’t really offered much on. I must say, that one feels quite soft.”
Others were less forgiving.
“Personal foul on Zack Baun when the Eagles force a fourth down,” The Athletic’s Zach Berman wrote on his official X account. “Another inexcusable penalty.”
Zack Baun is an undisciplined, overrated linebacker who shouldn’t even be on the field,” Ernie the Cowboys Fan wrote on his official X account.
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