Zack Baun: Top Graded LB / DPOY cand. [Why Baun Isn’t Still a Saint Thread]

3ParStillDriver said
Only a coach as bad as Dennis Allen could land a Zach Baun or Trey Hendrickson and let them easily leave. The level of incompetence that takes is profound.

Sean Payton was still the head coach when Trey Hendrickson left. So at least two bad, profoundly incompetent coaches could do it.

Zach Baun didn’t earn starter-count PT over Demario Davis & Pete Werner. Prior to leaving the Saints, this fanbase primarily knew Baun as the guy who fumbled after he caught an interception, and thus questioned why Dennis Allen even had him on the field in coverage since he’s still a “pass rush specialist” in the minds of many. The “pass rush specialist” went from 2 sacks in 2023 on 301 defensive snaps, to 3.5 sacks on 939 defensive snaps in 2024. Two hundred fifty-five posts in the Zack Baun megathread and the “DA is a dumdum for letting Baun leave” crowd still hasn’t reached consensus as to what he even does best on the field. For example…

Rouxble said
We could have loaded an offer up with playing time and performance incentives, I think he would have accepted.

We have a bad habit of letting pass rush talent walk out the door, it’s no wonder why we have one of the worst pass rush units in the league.

Zack Baun didn’t make hay this season rushing the passer. 3.5 sacks and 5 QB hits on 900+ snaps while also totaling 93 solo tackles tells me he primarily got it done 2-7 yards past the line of scrimmage, and playing next to Nakobe Dean tells me he did it in a system next to a linebacker who commands gameplan-level attention. As for an incentive-laden contract… 🤦🏽‍♀️ why would a guy who couldn’t get on the field accept one of those? He took the Eagles contract specifically because they offered him starting LB playing time. Playing was more important to him than money.