The Arizona Cardinals will have six-time Pro Bowler Budda Baker around for a few years. The team announced a three-year contract extension for Baker, keeping him under contract through 2027, when he will be 31 years old.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the three-year extension is worth $54 million and includes $30 million in guarantees. The average of $18 million per year is the third-highest ever for a safety.
In the days to come, we will see what the actual money is each year. Some of that money will come this year. His 2024 salary is $14.2 million.
Baker was a second-round pick of the Cardinals in 2017, made the Pro Bowl as a rookie on special teams, and has made the Pro Bowl as a safety in five straight seasons.
This season, he has 142 total tackles, including an NFL-leading 88 solo tackles. He also has two sacks and three pass breakups.
Getting a deal done with Baker made sense after they gave extensions to linebacker Zaven Collins, center Hjalte Froholdt and, most recently, running back James Conner.
Baker, a fan favorite, will have played 11 seasons for the Cardinals if he plays out the entirety of his new deal.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.