NFL Insider: Cardinals Could Still Entertain Budda Baker Trade

The Arizona Cardinals are 1-2 after three weeks of football and could still move on from Budda Baker, according to one NFL insider.

Though their record doesn't show it, the Arizona Cardinals appear to be far better than their 1-2 start suggests. Without quarterback Kyler Murray available, they've found themselves holding second half leads in all three contests played and are downright competing under head coach Jonathan Gannon. 

The Cardinals were projected by many to be one of the worst teams in the league, yet they've managed to surpass those expectations - for now.

With the league's Oct. 31 trade deadline just over a month away, one NFL insider says safety Budda Baker could very much still be on the trade block. 

NFL Insider Says Cardinals Could Still Entertain Budda Baker Trade

Matt Lombardo: "Budda Baker will miss the next four games with a hamstring injury, while on injured reserve, but if the Cardinals hold a deadline fire sale, the veteran could give a contending team's secondary a significant boost for the stretch run.

"The Cardinals gave Baker a raise prior to the season, adding a $300,000 signing bonus with the potential to reach an addition $2.1 million in incentives, after the veteran requested a trade during the offseason. However, Baker's new deal is hardly prohibitive to a trade, as Arizona would create $13.9 million in new cap space this season, while triggering $3.92 million dead-cap hits in 2023 and 204 if he's dealt. If Arizona falls further out of the NFC West race, expect Baker's name to re-emerge on the trade market."

Baker trade rumors are nothing new - just ten days ago, Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro rejected a report stating the Philadelphia Eagles were in "advanced" negotiations for the safety. 

It seems like noise won't be going away anytime soon, even with Baker still on injured reserve.