It’s hard to deny how great Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker is, and the Cardinals know it. Baker is working on his seventh Pro Bowl nod, putting together another spectacular year as the team’s leaders in tackles.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!You just can’t let him go.
Arizona knows that, and he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The Cardinals and Baker agreed to a three-year contract extension on Tuesday.
Cardinals, safety Budda Baker agree to terms on 3-year extension worth $54M with $30M guaranteed. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/K3c2rwG2Fp
— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2024
Baker’s signed his new $54 million deal, with $30 million dollars guaranteed.
The strong safety marks the third veteran signing for the Cardinals, locking up center Hjalte Froholdt at the beginning of the season and kicking off December by extending running back James Conner. Both received two-year deals.
Three more years.#ProBowlVote + @Buddabaker3 pic.twitter.com/QZyyyWoKSz
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 18, 2024
The 28-year-old safety has spent his entire career in Arizona. He was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft as the 36th overall pick and immediately got to handling business.
He was named first team All-Pro and and to his first Pro Bowl as a rookie. Baker’s made three All-Pro teams over the course of his eight-year career (two first team in 2017 and 2020, one second team in 2021).
Baker is currently second in the league in tackles with 142 on the year. He hit his way to a career-high 18 tackles against the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 8 to set a new Cardinals’ single-game record. He’s also recorded two sacks and an interception this season. In eight seasons, Baker has totaled 879 tackles, 9.5 sacks, forced six fumbles, recovered five fumbles and snatched away seven interceptions.
Baker is the best and most consistent thing in Arizona since he stepped into the desert. Trade rumors have circled around for the last two or three years, but for now, Baker is here to stay.
Is Budda Baker’s new Cardinals’ record enough to earn Pro Bowl votes?
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HEREÂ to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State and other Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live.
