Eagles Captain Admits Philadelphia Will Miss One Key Player, and it Isn't AJ Brown

The Philadelphia Eagles continue to be one of the better teams in the NFL, and much of that is due to what they do on the defensive side of the football. 

There are more questions than usual for the Eagles entering next season, but there's still a lot to be excited about. At the end of the day, this is a team that has a chance to win a Super Bowl, and if everything goes as planned, there's really no reason why the Eagles can't be in the mix to do so.

However, it's also important to recognize some of the players the Eagles lost on the defensive side of the football this past year. There are some new faces on this defense, including Jonathan Greenard. 

There are also some familiar faces, with Zack Baun, a player who many consider one of the best defensive players in the NFL. 

Recently, speaking to reporters about what he likes about this Eagles defense, he said much of it was due to what Vic Fangio was able to do, almost hinting that while the Eagles have lost some players in the past, having Fangio on their side ensures they'll always have an above-average defense.

"I feel he's taking things to the next level this year," Baun said about his defensive coordinator, per the team. "Even with his own scheme, he continues to develop and tweak and change.

"He's a hard-nosed, old school football coach, Baun said. "If you're willing to learn and listen to what he has to say, it could be really good for you and I think it's been really good for this defense."

Perhaps the most important player the Eagles lost this offseason was Nakobe Dean. Baun credits a lot of his success to Dean and added that players need to step up in his absence to be leaders in the locker room. 

That's one thing the Eagles will have to figure out this offseason: who can step up for them in more ways than just on the field will be very important for a squad looking to win it all.

"It hurt to see him leave, but I'm happy to watch him go and I know he's going to succeed wherever he is," Baun said. "I thank him from the bottom of my heart."

"Jordan Davis, myself, Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell. All the starters can take ownership in that leadership in the locker room, on the field and take charge, just as Nakobe did," said Baun, a first-time captain in 2025.