5 burning questions facing the Arizona Cardinals for the 2022 season
By Sion Fawkes
Will Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson live up to expectations?
While the Arizona Cardinals have a deep receiver room, perhaps there is no better position group on the team than safety, led by Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson. The Cardinals signed Thompson to a contract extension that will keep him in the desert until 2025, solidifying what should be a dynamic duo.
Baker has won three All-Pro awards, a trip to four Pro Bowls, and he started his career with a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Thompson has yet to win any major awards, but that shouldn’t take away from his production. Not only is he a tackling machine, Thompson also recorded three interceptions for 49 yards in 2021.
The two safeties are still in their mid-twenties, so expect them to man the Cardinals defensive backfield for some time. It is also not farfetched to believe they will remain among the greatest safety tandems for at least the next three to four seasons.