Mile High Report
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: Zack Baun
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-3
Weight: 225 pounds
Age: 28 years old
Experience: 6th NFL season
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...
