The Arizona Cardinals made big news on Tuesday with the announcement of Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker’s four-year contract extension. They made him the highest-paid safety in NFL history, paying him an average of $14.75 million per year.
For those outside of the Cardinals’ market, the move seems puzzling. He has no interceptions in his career and has been to the Pro Bowl once as a safety (he also made it as a special teamer).
It would appear they overpaid.
It won’t look like that for long.
The Cardinals got out in front of the safety market. Other bigger-name players are coming up for new contracts. Justin Simmons and Anthony Harris are playing on the franchise tag, making more than $11 million. Jamal Adams, Derwin James and Minkah Fitzpatrick are all due new contracts.
They will all probably make more than Baker got.
One year into his extension, if Baker continues to play at a high level, this deal will look like a bargain.
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