Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker requested a trade early in the offseason. He did not attend any of the voluntary part of the offseason program but did report for mandatory training camp, although he did not participate in on-field practices.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, appearing on “Good Morning Football,” Baker will attend training camp but the situation is far from resolved.
Baker’s agent, David Mulugheta, explained the situation via text to Garafolo.
“He doesn’t want to be the highest-paid safety,” Garafolo read from his texts. “He never said that.”
Baker is ninth in pay for safeties. The Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James is the highest-paid safety in the league.
“He just wants to be paid fairly for what he brings to the table.”
Baker apparently told the team he wanted to be traded to a contender and that he didn’t want to be part of a rebuild.
“It’s time the Cardinals extend Budda if they believe he is a long-term part of their future plans,” Mulugheta said via text.
Baker has two seasons remaining on his contract but has no guaranteed money left.
Baker would like to either win or have security with Arizona, who is at least a season away from real contention.
The team has said there is excellent communication with Baker. Perhaps something can get done before camp starts at the end of July.
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