Cardinals reward Budda Baker with record-breaking extension
After three seasons in the league and two Pro Bowl selections, Budda Baker is now the highest paid safety in NFL history.
Great news was reported by Adam Schefter this morning as the Arizona Cardinals locked up one of their franchise cornerstones, Budda Baker. The deal is worth 59 million dollars over the next four years, averaging out at 14.75 million per season.
Arizona is making 24-year-old, two-time, Pro-Bowl selection Budda Baker the highest-paid safety in the NFL history, giving him a four-year, $59 million contract extension ($14.75M average per year), sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2020
Asked about the deal, agent @DavidMulugheta confirmed it.
Baker, a two time Pro Bowler, recorded 147 tackles last season. An unprecedented number for a safety and the most in the NFL by any player at a non-linebacker position. That kind of production has earned the respect of his peers, as he was voted to the NFL’s Top 100 list this year, landing at number 97.
To go along with all that productivity, the fan favorite Baker has only missed two games out of a possible forty-eight in his career. As many Cardinal fans know, sometimes the most important ability is availability, and Budda always seems to find a way onto the field on Sunday’s.
The Cardinals played this one perfectly by the books. Ideally, the way to succeed in the NFL is to scout well, draft good talent, develop that talent, and retain that talent. They did just that when they found a diamond in the rough with Budda in the second round of the 2017 draft.
Although the defense hasn’t been stellar during Baker’s time with the Cardinals, the coaching staff has always had success moving him around the field and taking advantage of his versatility. This has allowed him to see the game from every on the defense, which has improved his game season by season.
Great man. Great football player.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 25, 2020
Congratulations, @buddabaker32. pic.twitter.com/rTk0Jk2TJs
Now with Budda locked up to go along with stud pass rusher Chandler Jones, a motivated Patrick Peterson, and a plethora of depth added by Steve Keim this offseason, Vance Joseph has the tools to orchestrate an above average defense.
Next. High expectations for Baker. dark
Not to mention Isiah Simmons, who we can only hope follows the exact path that Baker did, both in terms of development and productivity. Another great move in this productive off-season for the Cardinals.
(For more Cardinals content, follow @RedSeaTrent on twitter.)