Five-time Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker requested a trade from his longtime team the Arizona Cardinals. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Baker gave the team an ultimatum of trading him or making him the highest paid safety in the NFL. Baker’s contract has him making $13.1 million for the 2023 season and $14.2 million for the following season.
Being one of the top safeties in the NFL, Baker will likely have some potential suitors knocking the Cardinals’ front door. Baker finished last season with 111 tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. However, there are two problems that could get in the way of his request despite his impressive numbers. Firstly, being if the Cardinals actually want to trade him. They haven’t exactly had a lot going for them this offseason with them losing a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball. It’s possible, and perhaps their best option, they want to completely blow up the roster. Having the highest-paid safety in his prime likely doesn’t line up with their plans at this time, fan favorite or not.
Which follows the next problem, a team willing to take on his contract. That shortens the potential candidate list a bit, but with Baker being in his prime and contract expiring at the age of 29, his contract won’t serve as an albatross. A Budda Baker trade would likely mean an extension with his new team to lock him up long-term instead of taking a two-year rental.
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