Cardinals, Budda Baker in Contract Negotiations

The Arizona Cardinals begin mandatory minicamp tomorrow (June 13), marking the final stretch of football until the team is at State Farm Stadium for training camp in late July.

It's been an offseason filled with drama for the Cardinals from nearly start to finish, though the presence of one face of the franchise can hopefully help things simmer as temperatures look to rise in the desert.

Budda Baker told the Cardinals to either trade him or make him the highest-paid player at his position earlier in February. Arizona - clearly in a rebuild - didn't balk at Baker's request and the safety soon made it public prior to the 2023 NFL Draft.

Baker, still 27 years old and looking to cash in on one more payday, has no guaranteed money left on the remaining two years of his deal. For Baker to stick around on a roster that clearly won't be looking to hold a Lombardi trophy at season's end, the Cardinals will need to ensure Baker is handled financially.

Baker said in an interview earlier this offseason he would show up when it mattered (he was working out on his own as voluntary workouts ensued in Tempe at the team's facility), and multiple people have reported that Baker is indeed present in the building.

Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort told Arizona Sports' 98.7 FM Wolf and Luke that negotiations are "going great", according to Cardinals insider Tyler Drake.

#AZCardinals GM Monti Ossenfort just told @WolfandLuke that negotiations with S Budda Baker are "going great" and the team expected him to be back within the walls of the training facility this week for mandatory minicamp.
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) June 12, 2023

Drake also noted that Ossenfort mentioned Baker and his reps have been great to work with during the process.

"He's a big part of this team. ... I think we're going to continue to keep our discussions and line of communication open, which Budda's been great. His representation's been great," Ossenfort said.

"We're going to get through this week here and see where we're at."

"We're going to get through this week here and see where we're at." (2/2)
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) June 12, 2023

As to what a re-worked deal could look like remains to be seen, though the Cardinals know keeping Baker in the building during a key stage of their rebuild could pay massive dividends on and off the field.

Baker is due $13.09 million and $14.2 million the final two years of his deal.