The Cardinals’ 2023 offseason saw a trade request from Budda Baker that lasted for months. The Pro Bowl safety eventually reached a short-term resolution to his contract situation, but he is still a pending free agent. 
Baker’s 2023 earnings were increased through incentives as part of the deal reached last summer. He is set to earn $14.6MM this season with a cap hit of just over $19MM. Baker expressed his desire to stay with the team for the long term despite contract negotiations.
“Me being here seven years, this’ll be Year 8, of course you would love to be on a football team that you got drafted to,” Baker said. “I know it’s the not the same GM or it’s not the same head coach, but I understand if I continue to do my job at a high level – this is our fourth coaching staff and I’m still on the team – it shows what type of character I have and what kind of work ethic I put onto the field no matter what.”
In 2020, Baker signed a four-year, $59MM deal. Despite a revised agreement lowering his average annual value to $14.1MM, he still ranks seventh among safeties in the league. The safety position has seen a financial decline this offseason with several accomplished players being released. Baker missed five games in 2023 due to injury but still earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
His performance could impact contract negotiations, whether they occur this summer or closer to free agency. Baker is expected to start alongside Jalen Thompson in 2024, with their play crucial for Arizona’s defensive success. The team also drafted Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the fourth round as a potential safety or slot option.
With a different regime in place (General Manager Monti Ossenfort, Head Coach Jonathan Gannon), Baker is aiming for a healthy and productive final season in Arizona to help the team improve on their 4-13 record. He emphasized the importance of focusing on his performance regardless of contract situations, believing that everything else will fall into place.
