PHILADELPHIA — When inside linebacker Zack Baun dove to intercept a pass from Patrick Mahomes at the Kansas City Chiefs’ 14-yard line in Super Bowl LIX, setting up a touchdown that put the Eagles up 24-0 before halftime, his career had come full circle. The previous offseason, New Orleans, which used him primarily on special teams, had let him walk as a free agent. Now, he was a key starter on the Birds’ defense, making a pivotal play on the biggest stage in the building where he used to play. Baun, who had signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract, felt at home in Philadelphia. And he didn’t want to go anywhere else. He could have found a lucrative deal elsewhere this offseason. Instead, he didn’t test the market, re-signing with the Eagles for three years and $51 million (with $34 million guaranteed). It was general manager Howie Roseman’s first major free agency signing. “I really, actually didn’t want to leave,” Baun, 28, said Wednesday. “What we built here, the culture here, and honestly now that I’m thinking about it, I was just a piece of the puzzle that was put into a great culture already established. The people that work here, the system is in place, everything I felt here this past year just felt right for me and my family as well. Really didn’t want to leave and appreciated everything we built. “I think about what we did in one year with so many new pieces, coaches and players included, and I think about my own personal development in that same sense, where if I can move off the ball and play inside linebacker and do what I did and that was my starting point, I’m excited about this team and this defense moving forward,” Baun said. “I’m really excited to build on what we did last year.” Baun helped lead the league’s top defense while finishing the season with 151 combined tackles, 11 for loss, four passes defended, three forced fumbles and interception. He was named First Team All Pro and a Pro Bowl selection. After Nakobe Dean went down with an injury in the first round of the playoffs, Baun became the defensive signal caller. Immediately after the Eagles won the Lombardi Trophy, Baun was already talking about how he and the defense could be even better, sentiments he echoed Wednesday. “I felt that towards the end of the season that I was playing so confidently that I knew I was going to make a play,” Baun said. “I couldn’t tell you what it was going to be or when or where, and I’m excited to build off of that confidence and continue to find myself in this scheme.” • • • With defensive end Brandon Graham making his retirement official Tuesday, right tackle Lane Johnson became the longest tenured Eagle, preparing for season 13. Johnson’s contract was set to run through 2026, but Tuesday the organization extended it through 2027, adding $8 million over the next two years plus $30 million in guarantees. The 34-year-old thinks he may have three seasons left to play. “Yeah, I mean it’s very possible,” said Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler. “I think when you get to this stage of your career, you take it year by year, but physically I feel really good. A few years ago when I was coming back from all these surgeries, I thought my body was going to start failing or going downhill. But I just think with the strength and conditioning program we have here and the stuff we do in the offseason, I feel really good. “So, yeah, as long as I’m feeling good and I feel like I can contribute, I think I’ll continue to play. It’s all I’ve really known. I just love my football family. I’m an only child, so my brothers are here and have always been in the locker room, and that’s how I feel.” • • • The Eagles signed former New York Giants and Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree’ Jackson to a one-year deal last week, helping to replace Darius Slay and James Bradberry, both released. Last season, Jackson had 28 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five pass deflections in 14 games. He has been solid as a run stopper but has suffered neck and shoulder injuries throughout his career. Jackson, who will be 30 in September, said s he’s impressed by young Eagles corners Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell. “I’m not going to lie, I really liked Mitchell,” he said. “I saw a game we were watching on tape and I’m like ‘Damn, I haven’t seen a rookie play that well. It’s been a while.’ Then Cooper doing his thing. That was a trip, because they had the first white DB since whenever. To see him thrive and do his thing, it made me smile. “It’s always cool to see somebody else, especially the position that you’re in and how tough it is, to see those two thrive — it put a smile on my face.” • • • The Eagles lost another free agent on Wednesday, with reserve offensive lineman Fred Johnson signing with Jacksonville. Since signing with the Eagles, Johnson has played in all 34 games each of the last two seasons, with six starts, at guard and tackle. The graduate of the University of Florida was signed as an undrafted free agent by Pittsburgh, then played three years with Cincinnati and one with Tampa Bay ...read more read less