Arizona Cardinals star defensive back Budda Baker requested a trade on Friday.
“Team source: Budda Baker informed the Cardinals in February that he wanted to be traded or receive a new deal to make him the highest-paid safety,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted.
Team source: Budda Baker informed the Cardinals in February that he wanted to be traded or receive a new deal to make him the highest-paid safety.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 14, 2023
Baker quickly rose up the ranks in the team as one of their biggest leaders. If not the leader of the entire defense, as Hard Knocks: In Season showed off this past season.
This is Budda Baker. https://t.co/N7sNCLWCMY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 14, 2023
The Cardinals selected Baker 36th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s been one of the most productive safeties in the league. He’s a three-time All-Pro selection and a five-time Pro Bowler.
So it will be fascinating to see whether the Cardinals give in to his demands to be the highest-paid safety in the league. Or, perhaps more grimly, send one of its leaders off somewhere else.
Prior to arriving in Arizona, Baker starred at the University of Washington. The former Husky was a Consensus All-American in 2016 and a two-time First-Team All-Pac-12 selection.
In his career, he’s logged seven career interceptions, with his career-high set in 2021 (3).
Baker himself sounded off about the report, seemingly confirming it.
— Budda Baker (@Buddabaker3) April 13, 2023
Other NFL teams would be champing at the bit to acquire a player the caliber of Budda Baker. So should the Cardinals not be able to negotiate a deal, some other team may luck out.
The NFL world reacted to the shocking news.
If a team were to trade for Budda Baker, here is what he is currently owed on his contract:
2023: $13.096M
2024: $14.2MBaker is one of the more unique defensive players in the league given his versatility and on-ball production. https://t.co/59wKQDRam9
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 14, 2023
I’m always partial to the whole “Packers trading for Pro Bowl player” talk but like…
I could count on one hand the players who are a better fit in Green Bay than Budda Baker.
If ever a big trade acquisition was to happen, this is it.
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) April 14, 2023
I’m pretty attentive on social media, but I’d love to know how there are people who not only knew that Budda Baker had AZ in his Twitter profile, but were also aware the moment he removed it.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) April 14, 2023
Source: I officially hate the #AZCardinals if Budda Baker gets traded
If he wants to get paid, then pay him!
Baker played with a high ankle sprain that was supposed to sideline him for a few weeks. He's done everything right / extraordinary https://t.co/PdCZjZRCWe pic.twitter.com/DYj2gGD3nn
— Andy Kwong 🏈 (@akwong31) April 14, 2023
