Budda Baker betting on Cardinals’ direction with contract extension

TEMPE — Budda Baker showed belief in what the Cardinals have been building by signing a three-year extension, evaluating Arizona as a destination where he can win and feel confident in the process and people involved.

Baker will be 11 years into his NFL career by the end of his extension without having played for another franchise. He welcomed the idea of spending his career in one place, a rarity in the sports well beyond the NFL.

The organization invested $54 million with $30 million guaranteed to keep him around into his 30s.

There have been reasons for disgruntlement along the way. He’s been through four coaching staffs and a general manager change with no playoff wins as the longest-tenured player on the roster. He reportedly asked for a trade last year. 

But the 28-year-old remembers meeting with new general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon when they arrived, and their outlook for the future has resonated more than a year later.

“Me being here for however many years I’ve been here, it’s just been great to have these guys come in and show true leadership and try to just build something special here,” Baker said. “And ultimately, it’s all about winning games, but you got to have a great head coach … have those building blocks in order to win. So just having that opportunity to just be a part of this is definitely special. I’m very glad to be here.”

The six-time Pro Bowler is having another tremendous season with a team-high 142 total tackles NFL-leading 88 solo tackles.

Why did @Buddabaker3 want to stay with the @AZCardinals for three more seasons?

He told @wolf987FM and @SwingAndAMitch earlier today.

Full interview: https://t.co/92YtJFwkq9 pic.twitter.com/j2DWKbC1sQ

— Wolf & Luke on Arizona Sports (@WolfandLuke) December 18, 2024

Cardinals place value on continuity with Baker extension

The Cardinals have doubled down on their leaders in the locker room by extending Baker and running back James Conner in recent weeks — added to the list of previous extensions for center Hjalte Froholdt and linebacker Zaven Collins.

Mix in a long-term deal for quarterback Kyler Murray and a large group of first- and second-year players, the Cardinals have a base talent level with veteran leaders to continue building up through at least 2026 — when those 2023 rookie contracts and several extensions expire.

“Really good players, a lot of leadership with those guys, which is huge to me because I think they help keep everybody in alignment,” Gannon said of Baker and Conner. “They’re premier players and they’re good people, so that’s who we want to build the team around. I think that the value of continuity, especially in today’s NFL, it might be undervalued by some people, not this building.”

"Budda wanted to be here. That's really cool."

Jonathan Gannon is glad the Cardinals front office got Budda Baker's extension done. pic.twitter.com/ChzEPIBcNe

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) December 18, 2024

“It’s a testament to doing your job each day, proving yourself every day, continuing to work hard and doing the right things, not only on the field but off the field,” Murray said. “Those are two guys that, to me, they do everything right. You don’t got to worry about them outside the building. You can trust them on and off the field, and they hold everybody accountable. I couldn’t name two better guys to go to war with.”

Baker called the continuity exciting, giving credit to a locker room he described as having not let ego get in the way.

Arizona has nearly doubled its win total from last year at 7-7 with a chance to compete for the NFC West crown with a strong finish to the regular season.

“Definitely means a lot to us, and not only as a team on the field, just in the locker room as well,” rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. said of Baker extending.

There are means to add onto the corps without taking from it, as well, as Arizona still has among the most cap space in the NFL next offseason and five draft picks.

Budda Baker is onto Carolina

Baker was in dad mode when he heard there was an agreement. He was holding his baby girl and quickly had to transition from elation to getting his kids ready for bed.

When asked if this news has sunk in yet, Baker said it has, but there is too much to focus on before a critical game against the Carolina Panthers.

“I still got to watch what Bryce Young likes to do in his quick game and stuff like that,” Baker said. “I don’t really have the mental for the good things that are happening for me. It’s just, I’m still head down, tunnel vision.”

Creating a positive environment

Gannon explained the importance of serving the players and creating an environment they want to be apart of.

Baker had the opportunity to test the open market coming off one of his best seasons. Receiving the most lucrative third contract by a safety in NFL history is quite an incentive to stay, but the Cardinals’ brass this season has succeeded in keeping important players in Arizona going forward.

“Budda wanted to be here. And that’s really cool,” Gannon said. “So the sides came together and made it work. I’m happy we have him. Obviously, you guys know what he means to the team, to the city, to myself, to the coaches. Can’t put a price tag on it, so I’m glad he signed up here.”

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