In the middle of the Arizona Cardinals’ surprising 6-4 season in which they currently lead the NFC is the uncertain future of one of the team’s stars, safety Budda Baker.
Baker will be a free agent following the season and is having a fantastic season.
While it seemed a little more than a year ago that he was on his way out of town, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports there is “a realistic chance” he will get a contract extension before free agency begins next March.
The people I’ve talked to believe there’s a realistic chance Baker and the Cardinals can reach a deal before free agency. Baker prioritizes winning, so if he believes he can win big in Arizona, staying there is a viable option. The Cardinals have shown encouraging signs in recent weeks. Baker is also about his business, as he showed with an April 2023 trade request. So the Cardinals would have to pay up for a 28-year-old with five consecutive Pro Bowls.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon has gushed about Baker multiple times since he took over the team, and he did it again after Sunday’s win over the New York Jets, a game in which he had nine total tackles, a pass breakup and his first sack since 2021.
“He’s one of our elite players, man,” he said postgame. “I know everyone sees what he does on Sundays. I see what the guy does on Monday through Saturdays and like I’ve said, you can’t put a price tag on it. He is just a complete captain. He’s a warrior—all the things that means. I’m so glad we have him.”
The problem, though, is they have to put a price on it. How much is that worth at that position?
Baker is making $14.2 million in salary this season.
How much more will it cost to re-sign him? How much does he think he is worth? And how much is his position worth on the roster?
Those are questions that must be answered in the weeks and months to come.
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