Cardinals Safety Budda Baker Dubbed 'Loser' From Draft Weekend
If last weekend was any indication, Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker isn't going anywhere.
We're just a few weeks removed from Baker's trade request from the team - which was made public after he requested to be the highest paid safety in the league. Arizona hasn't obliged, and here we stand: The long part of the offseason has concluded and we are heading into the stretch of workouts and minicamps leading into the summer.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell named Baker as one of his losers after the 2023 NFL Draft:
"Baker is another player with a public trade request who reportedly wants to either become the league's highest-paid safety or be traded to a team willing to accommodate that request. With two years and $27.3 million left on his deal, the Cardinals don't have a significant motivation to redo his contract, and new general manager Monti Ossenfort inherited a dismal cap situation from former GM Steve Keim. Baker is a great safety, but the best chance of a trade was going to involve him being dealt for draft picks over the past week," said Barnwell.
"Instead, the draft came and went without a deal for the five-time Pro Bowler. The Cardinals also didn't take a safety during the draft, leaving them without a replacement for Baker. Ossenfort could try to land 2024 picks for him in a trade, but all signs seem to point toward one more season in Arizona."
Prior to draft weekend, Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said the following on his trade request:
“Here’s what I would say. I’d say myself and JG [Jonathan Gannon], we’ve had a lot of conversations with Budda and his representation. A lot of productive conversations and those continue to happen.
"I understand that Budda went public with his request last week. I would say that the conversations that I’ve had with Budda, I want those to remain between Budda and I. Those are personal. Those are private and I’m not going to get into a situation where I’m handling one of those situations in the public forum so I hope you guys appreciate that. Again, I think I’ve been clear about how I feel about Budda as a person and a player and nothing about that has changed.”
Gannon chipped in with:
"I like to hear all our players; how they’re feeling and what they’re going through because each one of them are different. Like Monti said, just talking to him I know what’s in his heart. I know he is a phenomenal person and he is a phenomenal player. We’ve had great conversations so far and a good relationship. I’m looking forward to keeping that moving forward.”
Baker (27-years-old) currently has two years left on his deal - none of which carry any guaranteed money for the All-Pro safety. Baker is set to have base salaries of $13 million and $14.2 million remaining on his deal, respectively.
Financially speaking in terms of total cash for safeties in the league, Jessie Bates III leads the way with $23 million next year. Kevin Byard has the highest cap hit at $19.6 million while Derwin James has the highest amount of guaranteed money with $42 million.
Justin Simmons ($14.4 million) is first in base salary.
Mandatory Minicamp is June 13-15. Baker was not present at Arizona's voluntary workouts prior to the draft.
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