‘Tis the season for contract extensions. Especially for seven-time Pro Bowlers.
The Cardinals and safety Budda Baker agreed to terms Tuesday night on a three-year contract extension through the 2027 season.
This comes after the Cardinals recently extended the contract of running back James Conner, as well as starting center Hjalte Froholdt as they plan for the future.
Baker had indicated all along he was hopeful he was going to be staying in Arizona. Baker, a second-round pick in 2017, had received his first contract extension from the Cardinals in 2020, and the team adjusted the remaining years before the 2023 season.
ESPN reported Baker will get $30 million guaranteed and it could be worth up to $54 million. Baker had been scheduled to be a free agent after the season.
Baker, who has been a team captain for each of the last five seasons, was named first-team All-Pro as a special teamer in 2017 and as a safety in 2020, as well as earning second-team honors in 2021.
This season Baker is second in the NFL with 142 tackles, needing six to set a career-high. He has been a menace all season for a defense that has played better than expected.
Baker said during training came he “of course” wanted to stay in Arizona long-term
“I’ve been drafted here, I know it wasn’t the same coach or the same (GM), but it’s the same owner,” Baker said. “And I was drafted here, been here six years, going on seven, it’s been awesome for me. I love Arizona, I love Arizona fans, and I’ll continue to play to the best of my ability and that will be at a high level each and every year. So, of course.”
