Cardinals Speak on Budda Baker's Situation

The Arizona Cardinals didn't seem too stressed about Budda Baker not being on the field during mandatory minicamp.

The Arizona Cardinals opened mandatory minicamp today, and nearly everybody was present as the team looks to piece together the beginning stages of preparation for the 2023 season. 

However, one notable name was missing from the crowd: Safety Budda Baker. 

Arguably the face of Arizona's franchise, Baker was in the building today (confirmed by Jonathan Gannon and Isaiah Simmons) but did not physically practice with the team, which stems due to contract issues from earlier in the offseason. 

Baker has two years left on his deal with no guaranteed money and requested a trade after the Cardinals didn't make him the highest paid player at his position. 

Though he wasn't physically on the field, it seems like Cardinals coaches and teammates aren't worried about it.

"It's just the business side of it like everybody does," head coach Jonathan Gannon said before being asked if Baker would be on the field tomorrow. "We'll see. We will take it day by day and then make adjustments as we go."

Gannon said that Baker has been very involved in meetings and has been in constant communication with the team. 

"Awesome. He's obviously an unbelievable player, and he's got a smile on his face. A winning attitude. He's positive. You've heard me talk about interactive meetings, he carries the flag on it because he wants to know-know, and that's a true pro. So it was good to have him in there today," Gannon said.

There's some concern about Baker missing physical reps in a new defense under coordinator Nick Rallis. Gannon believes Baker has enough reps through the years to make up for his absence, however long that lasts. 

"That guy's played a lot of football at a high level. It's really just the verbiage and making sure that he's in the right spot and doing the right things," he said on Baker. 

We also spoke with teammate Dennis Gardeck, who said Baker has also been discussing x's and o's with him. 

"I think if there's anybody that you shouldn't have to worry about on this defense, not being here right now, it's Budda Baker. I'm not at all concerned," Gardeck said. 

"He came to me and said, 'Hey, I saw this on film', like he's doing everything. Everything's been voluntary up until now. He's been handling his business. He's going to be ready. He's not a shy guy. So when he's ready to get around the group and be able to interact and lead and everything, he's still Budda Baker."

Though he's not physically on the field, Baker appears to be ramping up for the upcoming season in his own way.