Philadelphia escaped a weather-delayed opener 24-20 over Dallas, riding Hurts’ efficient night and a defense that tightened late after Jalen Carter’s ejection. The win lands as Philadelphia signs Za’Darius Smith to bolster edge rush and adds Javon Baker to the practice squad, while injuries and a controversial spitting incident swirl around Carter. Up next, a Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs streams tonight on YouTube.

Zack Baun’s late-effort tackle on Miles Sanders changed the game for the Eagles in a dramatic fashion. Baun hit a top speed of 20.68 mph in pursuit, beating Sanders to the spot at the 11-yard line and foiling a would-be Dallas go-ahead score. The sequence culminated five plays later with a Cowboys fumble, tipping the game Philly’s way. The moment underscored Baun’s relentless hustle, a hallmark that helped elevate him from special-teams role to All-Pro-caliber linebacker.

The night also highlighted Philadelphia’s defensive energy—Baun’s pursuit, Reed Blankenship’s praise, and a captain’s mindset fueling the unit despite some early miscues. The storylines tie into fantasy implications for IDP managers as Baun’s speed and willingness to chase the ball point to upside in upcoming matchups, especially in tackle-heavy formats. Hustle, it seems, can shift outcomes and metrics alike.

In short, Baun’s sprint-down became the defining highlight, reinforcing how a single play can redefine a season-long narrative for a defender and a fantasy folder alike.

Philadelphia hosts Isaiah Foskey for a workout after Bears consideration, eyeing a potential edge addition from the former Saints second-round pick. Foskey, a Notre Dame standout, totaled 26.5 college sacks but logged zero sacks in 27 NFL games with New Orleans. At 24, his upside remains intriguing for a Philly defense that already leans on young talent to fuel the rotation. A successful workout could position Foskey as a rotation option behind established pass-rush anchors, with Week 1 looming against Dallas as the fork in the road.

Saints alumnus Zack Baun serves as a cautionary comparator—flashed promise after a position shift that unlocked his best work in Philly. The Eagles’ willingness to reuse Saints talent speaks to a broader strategy: extract upside from reclamation projects on the edge. Foskey’s path will hinge on the tryout, but the storyline signals a real fantasy note: if Foskey lands with Philadelphia, he could climb into sleeper territory as a situational pass rusher, especially in leagues that reward sacks and hurries.

Natalie Dean’s future in Philadelphia is in question as 2025 looms. After injuries and a delayed return from PUP, the Eagles’ linebacking corps faces a pivotal year, with Dean’s extension prospects murky amid a trio of cheaper, younger options. Campbell, Trotter Jr., and Mongon have earned opportunities, while Zack Baun remains a stalwart. Fantasy managers should watch Week 5 return timing and how the depth chart shifts behind an evolving defensive scheme.

The piece highlights roster economics and the cost/benefit calculus of keeping Dean versus developing a budget-friendly youth movement. If Dean doesn’t secure an extension, Philadelphia could lean into Campbell, Mongon, and Trotter Jr. as long-term answers, affecting Dynasty and IDP value beyond 2025.

Zack Baun was named a 2025 team captain for the Eagles after a breakout 2024 season that earned First-Team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl bid, culminating in a Super Bowl 59 win. He finished the regular season with 151 tackles, 11 for loss and five forced fumbles, then posted 33 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in the playoffs before signing a three-year, $51 million extension.

Baun is one of eight Eagles to earn a captaincy in 2025 alongside Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Reed Blankenship, Jake Elliott, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, with Saquon Barkley listed among league captains in coverage. The designation signals Philadelphia’s leadership core entering 2025 and adds intrigue for fantasy IDP managers amid a potent Eagles roster.

Philly opens the season against Dallas, and Baun’s elevated role could steady the defense and boost tackle and turnover upside in fantasy formats. While the offense remains prolific, Baun’s leadership presence suggests a reliable floor for the Eagles’ IDP pieces in 2025.