Cardinals 'Not Planning' to Trade Budda Baker
The Arizona Cardinals have suffered a handful of losses this offseason.
None may hurt more than the potential departure of Budda Baker, who recently requested a trade from the team after the Cardinals failed to meet his (reported) request to become the highest-paid safety in the league.
Baker, 27, has been the heart and soul of football in the desert and was recently extended back in 2020. With just two years left on his deal, Baker wants to be paid handsomely if he'll stick around a rebuild that will likely be ugly in the beginning years under Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer says he doesn't think the Cardinals are planning on trading Baker, unless a strong offer comes along:
"I don’t think new Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort is planning to trade Baker," said Breer. "But … if someone offers a second-round pick and something else? Maybe. For what it’s worth, I don’t think this is just about money for Baker. I think it’s also about not wanting to start all over again, with a new head coach for the fourth time in his career. Baker wants to win and can still really play."
Just a few days ago, one NFC executive told Breer he expects either a second or third-round pick for Baker to be the cost.
"He’s still a high-level player. There’s minimal trade precedent at the position; the Jamal Adams trade to Seattle and Minkah [Fitzpatrick] trade to Pittsburgh are most applicable, both involved 1s [draft picks]. But both players were younger and under contract. You’d think, given the contract issue and positional value, scheme fit, it’d be a second or third for him," said the exec.
Baker - whether it be financially or competitively - wants to move on. We'll see if the Cardinals play ball.
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