Zack Baun, Saquon Barkley highlight six Eagles named to Pro Bowl
Jalen Carter, Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, and Lane Johnson were also named.
Zack Baun’s “movement patterns” gave Vic Fangio confidence that the Eagles had gotten more than they thought when they signed the former New Orleans Saints linebacker to a one-year deal.
Baun had primarily been used as an edge rusher and special teamer, and depth at a relatively small salary cap hit — $1.6 million — was on the mind when Howie Roseman signed Baun. The Eagles, though, got much more than they bargained for.
Fangio was right. Baun wasn’t an edge rusher, he was an off-ball linebacker. Not just an ordinary one, either. Baun has been one of the Eagles’ best defensive players this season, and one of the surprises of the NFL. On Thursday, Baun, who leads the Eagles with 151 tackles, good for fourth in the NFL, was named to his first Pro Bowl three days after his 28th birthday.
“I just wanted to contribute,” Baun said. “That’s the type of player I am. No matter where I’m at in my career, or where I’m at physically, what team I’m on, I just want to contribute and be a part of a team.”
» READ MORE: From September: Eagles’ Zack Baun, ‘a superstar, mega-athlete,’ is still growing as an NFL linebacker
Making the Pro Bowl showed “that I belonged here,” Baun said. “That the things I can do on the field are capable of recognition in this league. That’s pretty cool.”
Six Eagles were named to the Pro Bowl roster — selected in voting by fans, players, and coaches — Thursday morning. Joining Baun from the defense is Jalen Carter. On offense, Saquon Barkley’s historic season resulted in his third Pro Bowl selection. The guys in front of him were also rewarded: Landon Dickerson, Lane Johnson, and Cam Jurgens were all named to the NFC roster.
None of the Eagles’ selections is as much of a surprise as Baun, who was drafted in the third round by the Saints out of Wisconsin in 2020. He amassed just two sacks in four seasons with New Orleans along with 88 tackles, a number he almost doubled in 2024 thanks to a position change and Fangio’s eye. Of Baun’s 151 tackles, 3½ of them have gone for sacks. He also has five forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and an interception.
“I thought I was playing myself to that position, and obviously you just work and work and work and hope that’s going to be the outcome, but you never really expect it,” Baun said.
Barkley’s debut season in Philadelphia could not have gone much better after joining the team on a three-year contract following his six-season run with the New York Giants. Barkley on Sunday became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000-plus yards. He is 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s 1984 season record but will not play in Sunday’s meaningless season finale as the Eagles rest up for a playoff run.
» READ MORE: Here’s the case for allowing Saquon Barkley to go after Eric Dickerson’s record
Jurgens, the center who took over for Jason Kelce, was named to his first Pro Bowl. Dickerson’s selection is his third straight, and Johnson was named to his sixth Pro Bowl team.
It was a bit of a surprise to not see left tackle Jordan Mailata’s name on the roster after his strong 2024, but there was hefty competition at the offensive tackle position for the three spots in the NFC, including Johnson. Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell was named to the team, as was Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Tristan Wirfs. Jurgens and Dickerson said they felt Mailata was snubbed.
“It’s out of my control,” Mailata said. “I can’t control that. But I will say this, it’s not something that I prioritized or looked forward to. Another thing is, I know when I look back from where I was last year to where I am this year, I know I’m on the right path.”
Mailata is among a dozen Eagles selected as Pro Bowl alternates.
Carter is on his first Pro Bowl team after dominating during his second NFL season. The interior defensive lineman has been a menace at the front of a resurgent defense, constantly drawing double teams while wreaking havoc in the running game and pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
How would the Eagles go on without Kelce and Fletcher Cox? In a way, Jurgens’ and Carter’s selections speak for themselves.
The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be the third that features skills competitions and a flag football game. The events take place in Orlando from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, the week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl.
The Eagles, of course, are hoping none of their six selections participate in Pro Bowl festivities.
The Eagles play in Week 18 against the New York Giants. Join Eagles beat reporters Olivia Reiner and EJ Smith as they dissect the hottest storylines surrounding the team on Gameday Central, live from Lincoln Financial Field.