Two former Wisconsin Badger linebackers set to square off in Super Bowl LIX
Following three action-packed rounds of the 2025 NFL playoffs, two former Wisconsin Badgers will advance to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Feb. 9.
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Entering Sunday, a total of five UW alumni suited up for the NFC or AFC Championship contests. In the early window, Washington Commanders offensive linemen Tyler Biadasz and Michael Deiter laced up for a match against the Philadelphia Eagles and former Badger linebacker Zack Baun.
Baun, fresh off his All-Pro regular season in his first campaign with Philadelphia, was the defense's driving force in the Eagles' 55-23 blowout win. The five-year NFL veteran finished with 12 total tackles, eight solo tackles, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery.
Baun will play in his first career Super Bowl, while it is the organization's second in the last three seasons.
In the AFC championship game, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and linebacker Leo Chenal defeated the Buffalo Bills and guard David Edwards in another thriller.
Chenal finished with two total tackles Chiefs' narrow 32-29 win. Remarkably, Chenal will appear in his third consecutive Super Bowl. The Chiefs, led by all-time great quarterback Patrick Mahomes, have a chance to be the first team to ever win three straight Super Bowls.
Baun's individual season is among the most outstanding across the league in 2024, while Chenal's team is inarguably the most prolific of the past decade. In about two weeks, only one of the former Badger greats will hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
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