-
Josh Weinfuss, ESPN Staff Writer
TEMPE, Ariz. — Almost two years after asking for a brand new deal or to be traded, Arizona Cardinals All-Pro security Budda Baker obtained a brand new contract Tuesday.
Budda reached an settlement on a three-year extension value as much as $54 million with $30 million assured, a supply informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The $18 million per 12 months is the third-largest contract for a security in NFL historical past.
Baker is within the last 12 months of a four-year, $59 million extension that is paying him $14.2 million. That deal, which he signed in 2020, made him the highest-paid NFL security on the time.
Baker, a six-time Pro Bowl choice and three-time All-Pro who’s second within the NFL with 142 tackles, did not head into this season taking a look at it as a contract 12 months.
“I deal with each single 12 months like a contract 12 months,” Baker mentioned final offseason. “So, in fact I need to be a Cardinal, however on the finish of the day, I perceive it is a enterprise.”
Now, Baker, 28, could possibly be in place to retire with the Cardinals.
Baker’s teammates knew he was heading into the final 12 months of his contract and needed to assist preserve him in Arizona, linebacker Kyzir White mentioned.
Baker has develop into the spine of Arizona’s protection, each on and off the sphere.
His presence has influenced how groups assault Arizona’s protection, with offenses committing quite a few sources all through a recreation to neutralize Baker.
Off the sphere, Baker has been Arizona’s defensive chief for the previous few years. His work ethic has been praised by teammates as the usual on protection.
“Big chief,” fellow security Jalen Thompson mentioned. “I really feel like he is a pacesetter. Kind of will get everyone going. When the vitality is down, it is low, he is the man that is getting everyone up. He’s simply a kind of guys that does the whole lot proper.”
