Arizona Cardinals safety is honored for a spectacular month

Arizona Cardinals star safety Budda Baker has been named the National Football Conference’s Defensive Player of the Month

When watching the Arizona Cardinals defensive unit in action, there’s one player who constantly stands out. Budda Baker, the squad’s fourth-year safety, is one of the NFL’s premier playmakers. The 24-year old star is now being recognized for the ample contributions he made to the Cardinals over the past few weeks.

It’s been announced that Baker has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month. The honor is especially impressive if you take into account that Arizona’s 2017 second-round draft pick has been playing with a cast on his thumb. Even more impressive is the fact that Baker won the award after suiting up in just three of the month’s four matchups.

In his three appearances during the month of October, Baker racked up 31 tackles, two interceptions (including the first of his professional career), two sacks, two passes defensed and a forced fumble. It should be pointed out that the Cards emerged victorious in each one of those games.

Following a week six triumph over the Dallas Cowboys, Baker took home the NFC Defensive Player of the Week trophy. During that contest, the 5’10, 194 pounder totaled seven tackles, a sack, a pick and a forced fumble. In addition, Baker was the only defender in pro football with multiple interceptions and multiple sacks during the month of October.

The Cardinals have been no strangers to honors in 2020. Quarterback Kyler Murray has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the week on two separate occasions this season. Arizona’s talented signal-caller was handed the award after a week five win over the New York Jets, and once again following this past Sunday’s victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Back in August, Baker signed a four-year contract extension that will keep him in the desert through the 2024 campaign. The deal is reportedly worth $59 million, with $33.1 million of it guaranteed. The Cards front office would have to wholeheartedly agree that it is money well spent.