The Arizona Cardinals have an important issue to address this offseason. It is the contract of six-time Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker.
He enters the final year of his contract and has no guaranteed money remaining in the deal. He requested a trade last offseason after his plea for a contract extension was rejected. He did not participate in any of the team’s voluntary offseason work.
He had no guarantees last year left in his deal but the team eventually slightly redid his contract, fully guaranteeing his 2023 salary, giving him a small bonus and adding a Pro Bowl incentive that he cashed in.
If that was his stance last offseason with two years remaining on his contract, it isn’t likely going to change this offseason.
He will want a contract extension or to be traded.
He missed five games with injuries last season and had one of his least productive seasons with 87 tackles. He did not have any interceptions, any pass breakups and did not force any fumbles or have any sacks.
Extending him would likely mean making him among the highest-paid safeties again.
At 28 years old, he is still in his prime.
But what should the Cardinals do? should they extend his contract or should they try and get something before he enters free agency next offseason?
Vote in the poll:
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]