Budda Baker, who didn’t participate in offseason work last year, gets candid about NFL players thinking about money

Budda Baker is set to hit the free agency following the 2024 season.

Budda Baker, who didn’t participate in offseason work last year, gets candid about NFL players thinking about money

Cardinals safety Budda Baker (Via Imago)

This offseason, many players across the league are sitting out their team’s offseason programs in order to obtain a satisfactory extension. The Arizona Cardinals’ star safety Budda Baker did that last year but still hasn’t received an extension, instead, he was convinced to join the training camp with bonuses and incentives in his existing deal. 

Baker has now entered the final year of his contract, but there still isn’t any ongoing contract discussion. But one thing is different, Baker isn’t repeating last season’s approach, when he requested a trade request and shared he wouldn’t view the season any differently even if no contract takes place. He also gave some insights on how the players push extra in their contract year. 

A lot of people think about the money. Some players might think, ‘Contract year, I gotta do extra.’ I treat every single year like a contract year. For me, I love this game. I play it at a high level each and every week because of the work I put in each and every week. For me, I’m an honest believer in controlling what I can control and do my job. At the end of the day, everything else will take care of itself.
said Budda Baker via Arizona Sports

Even though the franchise is taking its sweet time to sort out Baker’s deal, they have made some pivotal chances in the roster since head coach Jonathan Gannon and General Manager Monti Ossenfort joined. 

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However, they still haven’t been able to build a winning team and it seems they will continue striving until they achieve that goal. 

Cardinals suggested considering trading Budda Baker 

Given the current contract situation of Pro Bowler safety Baker, he is set to hit the free agency following the 2024 season. There have been speculations that the Cardinals would be considering trade options for Baker. 

Budda Baker 
Budda Baker (Via Fox News)

A recent report by Bleacher Report put Baker on the list of players who should be considered for trading, highlighting how he made his sixth Pro Bowl despite missing five games. 

Even if the Cardinals trade Baker or he enters free agency after not receiving any contract, the franchise already has his replacement in high-end safety Jalen Thompson. Moreover, he also drafted Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the fourth round of the 2024 Draft.

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