NFL
Arizona Cardinals Budda Baker Now the Highest-Paid Safety in the NFL
Arizona Cardinals have extended S Budda Baker on a 4y/$59M deal, making him the highest-paid Safety in the NFL
CBS Sports
The Arizona Cardinals drafted S Budda Baker with the 36th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Because he wasn’t a first round selection, he didn’t have a 5th-year option and was entering a contract year in 2020. Instead of waiting until he reached free agency or deciding on whether to franchise tag him next year, the Cardinals went ahead and gave Baker the bank.
We have agreed to terms with S Budda Baker on a four-year contract extension through the 2024 season.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 25, 2020
The 5’10, 195 lb Defensive Back is now the highest-paid Safety in the NFL at $14.75M/yr, but is very similar to Tyrann Mathieu in that he lines up all over the field with plenty of snaps at nickel corner. An interesting caveat to this deal is Baker’s agent, David Mulugheta also represents Landon Collins, Kevin Byard, and Earl Thomas. All players who comprise the league’s top paid Safeties. Mulugheta’s influence on this transaction can’t be understated with his track record, but Budda Baker’s own film and 2019 Pro Bowl season warranted a deal of this magnitude as well.
Baker is at his best when defending the run, making tackles in space, and juking blockers en route to a great play in the backfield. However, his lackluster production in the passing game is cause for concern, especially considering how much more prevalent the pass game is in today’s NFL. He also missed 11 tackles including this notorious one against George Kittle.
With Baker locked up long-term, the Cardinals can turn their attention toward CB Patrick Peterson if they want to use the franchise tag next offseason. Jalen Thompson emerged as a solid starter alongside Baker during his rookie season as more of a Free Safety. Arizona has a very youthful Safety group with Deionte Thompson also having starter potential in the future as a former All-American at Alabama. This deal is about Baker though and the former Washington Husky is now locked up long-term, giving the Cardinals their best defensive playmaker in the run game as he continues to develop into his prime.
Learn something interesting about Budda Baker? Share with friends!
