Budda Baker came oh so close to matching his career-high in tackles in the Arizona Cardinals’ 42-14 loss to the Washington Commanders. The former Washington Huskies star tallied 14 tackles as the Commanders, led by No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels, ran for 216 yards in the game.
As the Cardinals fell to 1-3 on the season, it’s beginning to look like coach Jonathan Gannon may have another rebuilding year on his hands, which wouldn’t be great news for the eight-year veteran Baker, who has played in just one playoff game in his career.
The team captain is in the final year of his contract and may explore the free agent market in the offseason, but he could find himself in a new home before the end of the year. ESPN’s Dan Graziano listed Baker as one of his top trade candidates this season, and the Cardinals could be willing to listen on a potential return for the 2017 second-round pick.
“Unsigned beyond this season, Baker would be an impact player for any team needing safety help at the deadline,” Graziano said. “The Cardinals would have to be out of contention to consider it, and Baker’s $14.2 million salary wouldn’t be a piece of cake to move. But unless the Cards extend him at some point, you have to think they’d take the call.”
At 28 years old, the six-time Pro Bowl honoree and two-time All-Pro could command a significant return from the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Cleveland Browns, the teams that Graziano said could make a push for his services.
Before the start of Sunday Night Football, Baker is the No. 2 leading tackler in the NFL for Week Four and has continued to display that he is one of the best safeties in the NFL.
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