After requesting a trade back in April, the Arizona Cardinals have found a way to keep five-time Pro Bowler Budda Baker on their roster, at least for the time being.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Per Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals agreed to a deal that included $2.4 million worth of bonuses and incentives this year. The deal was made just before the start of training camp.
Sources: #AZCardinals star Budda Baker received a raise prior to camp, getting $2.4M in bonuses and incentives this year including a $300K signing bonus. He also received a raise for next season.
AZ’s leader is back. pic.twitter.com/SlAJFwbHDz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2023
Keeping Budda Baker on the roster seemed highly unlikely just a couple of months ago. However, Monti Ossenfort, the Cardinals new GM, was not going to let Baker walk without a fight.
Back in January, among the speculation that Budda would be leaving Arizona, Monti Ossenfort made sure to give the Cardinals 2017 2nd round pick some high praise before speaking on any other player.
“Budda Baker represents everything we want this organization to be.”
And Ossenfort is not alone in this thinking. Baker is well known to be a fan favorite throughout the NFL. Baker’s dedication and love for the game were put on full display in the Cardinals’ ‘Hard Knocks’ season last year.
It is hard not to appreciate this level of passion, and it would have been a shame if the Cardinals could not keep Budda along for another season.
Budda Baker channeling his inner Jamaal Williams. Hard Knocks (In Season) with the @AZCardinals debuts on @HBOmax 11/9 @ 10 PM EST pic.twitter.com/HvntxByyNL
— The Fantasy Source 🍥 (@FantasySource_) November 8, 2022
Baker, now with the reworked contract, will be with the Cardinals for another two seasons, as his four-year contract does not expire until 2025.
