Cowboys and Budda Baker Trade 'Landing Spot'? Which Part of Proposal Doesn't Fit?
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FRISCO - Maybe it is the result of the Dallas Cowboys having already executed two noteworthy and difference-making trades this offseason involving name veterans. But once again the national media is taking a stab at another "Jerry Jones splash'' concept, with disgruntled Arizona Cardinals star safety Budda Baker as the centerpiece.
Yes, the Cowboys have again been named a potential landing spot for Baker, who requested a trade from the Cardinals a few weeks ago after negotiations for a new contract went south. Money is one factor there; our understanding is that Baker would like to become the highest-paid player at his position, meaning a deal worth $16 million APY.
And let's be clear about that, first, from Baker's position: He is "that guy,'' a player so impactful at the safety position that he might just find a suitor at that lofty price.
Also in play for Baker: Those who know him rave about his desire to win, and the pain he feels in being part of a losing program. And that is an attribute worth paying for as well.
Baker wants to play for a contender? The Cowboys, coming off back-to-back 12-win seasons and now employing the aforementioned trade gets in receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerback Stephon Gilmore, qualify. Gilmore, in a secondary with All-Pro Trevon Diggs, and Baker back there, too?
Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn would surely salivate at the idea.
But who inside The Star would be somewhat less enthusiastic? The guys with the sharp pencils and the big calculators, who have already worked meticulously to create solid (and affordable) safety play with the recent signings of the "Three-Headed Monster'' of Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson. Those three very effective players make a total of $14 million this season.
Baker is going to want more than that all by himself.
One media outlet, in wondering, "What could a trade between the Cowboys and Cardinals look like?'' goes with a suggested package of Dallas sending a 2024 second and fourth-round pick to Arizona. That offer is problematic enough; The Cardinals probably want more than that, and now that the 2023 NFL Draft is over with, would be dealing Baker and having to wait 12 months for a payoff. Front offices are not fond of having to do these things that way.
In the end, the Cowboys could in theory move financial mountains to make this happen ... but those mountains would involve how much to pay in-house Cowboys who are already etched into the "pie'' plan at big-money figures. That's CeeDee Lamb, that's Diggs, that's Micah Parsons, all of them on the verge of commanding $20 million APY deals.
The concept, as it focuses on "Jerry's splash,'' is also errant. The trades for Gilmore and Cooks were wildly affordable, in terms of draft capital and cash. Look closely and you'll see it's been longer than you think since Jones has written gigantic checks to take gigantic risks.
At some point, even though a team can do most anything it wishes with cap gymnastics, something's gotta give ... and giving one more guy enough money to make him yet another "among-the-highest-paid-in-the-NFL'' person - joining Lamb, Diggs, Parsons, Zach Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, Tony Pollard and Dak Prescott - likely means that while the trade itself is alluring, the other part of the Budda Baker "give'' is not.
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