Cardinals, Budda Baker Compromise is Win-Win

GLENDALE -- The Arizona Cardinals had their first open practice of their 2023 training camp session, and as expected, there were plenty of smiling faces across State Farm Stadium.

None were bigger - or brighter - than the expression on the face of safety Budda Baker.

That's normally the case, as Baker is a solidified leader on the squad and is known for his high levels of energy and charisma.

However, Arizona's top defensive player found a few hundred thousand reasons to smile after having his contract re-worked: Baker was given a $300k signing bonus and can earn up to $2.4 million in incentives according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

The deal closed what was an extensive period of drama and speculation between the two sides on where Baker would end up playing for 2023 and beyond. Baker reportedly asked to be made the highest-paid safety in the league or sent packing via trade.

Neither happened, and Baker will continue his career with the Cardinals, at least for the immediate future.

Highlights of Baker's re-worked deal, as worded by Cards Wire's Jess Root:

The Cardinals gave Baker a $300,000 signing bonus and guaranteed his 2023 salary
Baker can earn up to $200,000 in per-game active roster bonuses.
Baker's 2024 salary of $14.2 million is still non-guaranteed, but he can earn $400,000 in an offseason workout bonus for participating in the voluntary offseason program.
Baker gains a $500,000 bonus each year for being selected to the Pro Bowl OR first-team All-Pro.
$1.4 million can be earned in playing time bonuses.
Baker's cap hit this year will go up as much as $500,000 with the signing bonus and per-game roster bonuses.

Though Arizona got the better end of the deal, this is a win-win for both sides.

Baker - who had no guaranteed money left on his deal - gets the immediate injection of cash he desired at 27-years-old. Baker knew Arizona wouldn't be competition for a Super Bowl this season and was able to somewhat force the Cardinals to pony up after an offseason where they stayed true to their rebuilding philosophy and didn't budge.

The Cardinals were able to satisfy their best player and keep him around for pennies on the dollar of what Baker was initially demanding. General manager Monti Ossenfort was wise to find a creative way to ensure his top player was paid while also not forking over significant money.

Arizona Sports insider John Gambadoro offered this to say on the new deal:

"New deal for Budda Baker gives him a chance to earn more money through playing time and solid play but it keeps the Cardinals flexible for the future. Now no distractions and the Cardinals can install their new defensive scheme with all of their players. Win/Win."

It's rare where a team can keep a player as talented as Baker around - especially during the beginning stage of a rebuild - while keeping the deal still friendly towards the club.

Should Baker play fairly strong this season, the Cardinals could potentially offer him a different (and perhaps more lucrative) extension heading into 2024, especially if things are looking up.

As Gambadoro pointed out, the Cardinals can still get out of Baker's deal in the future if things go sideways.

Flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to salary cap. The Cardinals and Baker both walk away as winners here, though Arizona still holds the upper hand moving forward.

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