Cardinals Insider Shuts Down Budda Baker Trade Rumors
The Arizona Cardinals have made it perfectly clear they're willing to cut ties with anybody who doesn't fit the organization's trajectory in the future.
Since arriving on the scene in the spring, new Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort has done a strong job rebuilding the franchise after inheriting a disaster of a roster.
Names such as Byron Murphy and Zach Allen walked in free agency while DeAndre Hopkins, Isaiah Simmons and Colt McCoy have since departed, too.
Speculation around Cardinals safety Budda Baker grew over the offseason after his trade request went public following Arizona's refusal to give him a new deal. At the time, Baker had no guaranteed money on the remaining two years left on his contract.
Fast forward to present day, where Baker had his deal re-worked at the beginning of training camp and has been all smiles moving forward.
Yet that hasn't stopped speculation around Arizona's cornerstone player and his availability on the market, mostly thanks to what many believe to be a "tanking" year in the desert on top of Baker's desire to play for a contender.
CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr reported that the Philadelphia Eagles were very interested in Baker, but Arizona was unwilling to part with their star player.
"I've been talking to a bunch of people in Arizona about this for months, and months, and months - I know the Eagles are interested in a safety, but it just seems Budda Baker is off the table," Kerr said on Philadelphia's 97.5 The Fanatic.
Arizona Sports' 98.7 insider John Gambadoro also shot down Baker trade rumors.
Baker was recently placed on injured reserve by the Cardinals and will miss at least the next four weeks with a hamstring injury. Arizona HC Jonathan Gannon confirmed he didn't tear anything and is expected back at some point in 2023.
The Cardinals are certainly willing to listen to offers, but dealing Baker has always been a tough potential pill to swallow.
“Budda Baker represents everything that we want this organization to be and I am excited to be on a team with him,” Ossenfort said at his introductory press conference.
“I distinctly remembered I was with the Patriots at the time and Budda came in (before the 2017 draft),” he recalled. “We interviewed Budda at the combine for our 20-minute interview. After the end of that 20-minute interview, I think I was ready to run through a brick wall for Budda Baker and I just relayed that story to him.”
The NFL's deadline to trade players is Oct. 31.
