Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is now listed as questionable to play in Sunday's game due to an illness. Baker has played in the team's last seven games after recovering from a hamstring injury earlier in the season. Wide receivers Hollywood Brown and Michael Wilson, who were previously listed as questionable, are expected to play against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Arizona Cardinals have given safety Budda Baker $2.4 million in bonuses and incentives for the 2023 season, including a $300,000 signing bonus, as part of a contract renegotiation. The details of the raise for the 2024 season are unknown, but Baker will remain with the Cardinals for his seventh season, which is seen as a positive for new head coach Jonathan Gannon.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who previously requested a trade, wants his contract addressed in a way that demonstrates he is a long-term part of the team's future plans. Baker's agent stated that he is not seeking to regain his status as the highest-paid safety in the league. The Cardinals have expressed their intention to keep communication open with Baker, but it remains to be seen if a new agreement will be reached before training camp begins.
Budda Baker's contract situation with the Arizona Cardinals remains unsettled as he enters the last year of his current deal. Baker's agent, David Mulugheta, clarified that the safety is not seeking to be the highest-paid at his position but wants to be "paid fairly for what he brings to the table." The Cardinals' new front office and head coach have expressed their desire to keep Baker as a key part of the team's future, but a contract extension has yet to be reached. Training camp begins on July 25.
Budda Baker, safety for the Arizona Cardinals, reported to mandatory minicamp this week but did not practice due to ongoing contract negotiations. Baker had requested a trade in April and did not attend the voluntary portion of the offseason program. Despite not being on the field, Baker has remained engaged by watching film and staying in contact with coaches. The Cardinals are not concerned about Baker's absence affecting their new defensive scheme.
Budda Baker, who requested to be the highest-paid safety in the NFL or be traded, was not present for the start of the Arizona Cardinals' mandatory minicamp. Baker was reportedly at the team's training facility on Monday but did not take the field with his teammates on Tuesday. Despite missing two games due to injury, Baker led the Cardinals in tackles last season and signed a four-year, $59 million contract extension in 2020.
Despite requesting a trade and skipping voluntary work, Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker has decided to attend the team's mandatory minicamp to avoid being fined almost $100,000 for three missed days of work. Baker has spent his entire NFL career with the Cardinals and has been selected to the Pro Bowl in five of his six seasons. He has two more years left on his contract, with salaries of $13.1 million this year and $14.2 million next year.
The Washington Commanders may be open to trading defensive end Chase Young due to concerns about his durability and the team's financial situation. Several teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and New Orleans Saints, could be interested in acquiring Young. Potential trade packages include draft picks and players such as Budda Baker, Julian Okwara, Jonathan Greenard, and Payton Turner.
ESPN's Matt Bowen gave potential landing spots for Arizona Cardinals' star players DeAndre Hopkins and Budda Baker. Bowen sees Hopkins fitting best with the Kansas City Chiefs, while Baker would fit well with the Philadelphia Eagles. Hopkins will have to decide between taking a large contract with a team that still has cap space or taking a lesser deal with a team he thinks can win it all. Baker, who requested a trade in April, is highly regarded as one of the best safeties in the league and could be a top-down defender in split-field coverages under new coordinator Sean Desai.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon is not worried about the absence of DeAndre Hopkins and Budda Baker during the team's voluntary organized team activities. Both players have been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, and Baker has expressed a desire for a new contract. Gannon stated that he believes Hopkins will fit in well when he returns, and Baker will show up when he wants to. Other players, including Kelvin Beachum and Hjalte Froholdt, were also absent from the workouts.
Budda Baker has requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals, and the Philadelphia Eagles are viewed as a potential destination due to their need at safety. However, the Eagles may not have enough money to spend on Baker due to other commitments. Baker is a game changer in the Eagles secondary and is one of the top defensive players available for trade. While it would be difficult for the Eagles to acquire Baker, there seems to be mutual interest between the two parties.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans should be careful when saying the team would never trade for a certain player, as they did with Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2019. With a new front office in place, the team is determined to do things differently and has already made surprising moves this offseason. While it's not likely the Steelers will trade for Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker, fans should never say never.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker has requested a trade, and the Philadelphia Eagles could be a potential landing spot for the five-time Pro Bowler. Baker's versatility and on-ball production would make him a dynamic addition to the Eagles' secondary alongside Darius Slay and James Bradberry. However, Baker's salary could be a deal breaker for the Eagles, who have the draft capital to make the trade happen.
Budda Baker's trade request has sparked interest from the New York Jets, but he may not be the solution to their free safety problem. Baker primarily plays as a strong safety/box player and lacks experience as a deep safety. However, he could be an upgrade at the strong safety position. Baker's contract demands make it unlikely the Jets will pursue him, as they have not shown a willingness to spend premium assets on the safety position.
Budda Baker has requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals after six seasons with the team. The Las Vegas Raiders, who finished 31st in EPA vs. the pass last season, could pursue the star safety to upgrade their secondary. With the safety draft class being weak, Baker could be a staple in the Raiders' defense for years to come. The Raiders are also considering drafting offensive lineman Peter Skoronski and potentially trading up to the third pick in the NFL draft.