B/R Says Budda Baker Should Still Push for Trade From Cardinals
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There's hope that the Arizona Cardinals are done molding their roster for 2023 after an offseason filled with key players departing left and right.
Budda Baker appeared to be next in line after publicly demanding a trade following the team's refusal to make him the highest paid safety in the league. That was in the build up to the 2023 NFL Draft, and now in the early stages of June, Baker is still on the roster.
It doesn't feel like he's going anywhere.
“Oh yeah, of course I’ll be there when it’s time to be there,” Baker said in an interview with 12 News' Cameron Cox, ending any talk of a potential hold-out. “When it’s time to be there, I’ll be there smiling and [be] the same regular guy that I am. Just excited to see those guys."
Baker also mentioned he wasn't letting the business side of the sport impact him.
“For me personally, I’m just letting the business aspect handle the business aspect, letting my agent handle all that type of stuff. Just continuing to have tunnel vision on my work ethic, being the best person I can be outside of football and just enjoying life," said Baker.
So - at least for now - Baker appears to be staying in Arizona. That doesn't mean he should stop pushing on his demands, according to Bleacher Report, who listed him as one of the handful of NFL vets who should still seek a trade.
B/R Says Budda Baker Should Still Push for Trade From Cardinals
"Budda Baker has been one of the league's most consistent defenders since he entered the league in 2017. Considering the 27-year-old is coming off a fifth Pro Bowl appearance and appears to have plenty left in the tank, it's almost a shame he'll have to waste one of his prime years with a Super Bowl non-factor like the Arizona Cardinals," wrote Alex Kay.
Baker has two years left on his deal with no remaining guaranteed money. Baker obviously deserves to play for a championship - and if he's forced to stay in Arizona - he should at least be compensated as such.
Kay says Arizona should absolutely take a suitable offer to set Baker free amidst their rebuild.
"The Cardinals could change their tune if a contending team comes to the table with a strong offer for Baker. The rebuilding franchise would benefit from adding some additional draft capital to their coffers far more than it would deploying a star safety during some impending lean years. Because of this, it would be surprising if the Cards weren't willing to part with Baker for a package headlined by a Day 2 pick," Kay said.
Former Cardinals QB Carson Palmer believes the opposite. The Arizona Ring of Honor inductee went on Arizona Sports' 98.7 earlier this week and said the Cardinals would be smart to keep him during their rebuild.
“When you are going through a rebuilding year, new staff and your quarterback is hurt and not ready to play, those guys are instrumental,” Palmer said.
“You need that leadership, those guys who have been captains and Pro Bowlers in the past. He is the star of that defense. When you’re going through all the turmoil that the organization has gone through thus far, you need guys like Budda Baker.”
The Cardinals would tend to agree - he's still a few years under the age of 30 and could still be an integral part of Arizona's defense if/when they're ready to compete again.
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