the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League. As a rookie in 1997, he recorded six sacks and five more tackles for loss, as well as being named First-team All-Arena. He recorded 23 total tackles, and also recorded five receptions, all but one for touchdowns. He caught his first-ever touchdown pass and recorded a sack and a tackle for loss on defense in home win over the New York Dragons. He recorded four tackles and a sack in loss to the Texas Terror. He recorded two sacks and a five-yard touchdown reception in a win over the Anaheim Piranhas. He led the Kats with seven tackles, two for losses, and a sack against the Milwaukee Mustangs. In the playoffs, he recorded a 15-yard touchdown reception and a tackle in a first-round loss to the Tampa Bay Storm. After the AFL season was over, Baron signed with the Chicago Bears in October 1998, where he spent the season on the practice squad. In 1998, Baron was selected as a First-team All-Arena selection and the league's Lineman of the Year, in addition to chosen as the teams' Ironman of the Year. He had 14 tackles, four sacks, numerous quarterback hurries, five batted down passes, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for the season. He recorded five receptions on the season, three of which went for touchdowns, as the team's starting tight end, totaling 44 yards receiving. He blocked on the offensive line, helping to allow only five sacks all season, the second best total in the league. He caught his first pass of the season on the road against the Dragons, a two-yard touchdown pass from Andy Kelly. He caused two fumbles and had a sack in a home win over the Florida Bobcats. In April 1999, Baron requested his release from the Bears to join the Kats for the 1999 season. In 1999, Baron was chosen as the Arena Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award winner after posting 11 tackles, five sacks, five batted down passes, a recovered fumble and a forced fumble. He recorded numerous quarterback hurries and knockdowns while drawing double coverage for most of the season. He was selected as a First team All-Arena lineman and named to the AFL All-Ironman team. He was selected as the Kats' co-Ironman of the Year, sharing the award with Darryl Hammond. Baron had nine receptions for 88 yards