Budda Baker's Agent Clears Up Contract Demands

Arizona Cardinals Budda Baker never asked to be the highest paid safety in the league, according to his agent.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker has found himself in a myriad of headlines through this past offseason. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Baker approached the team in February and asked for a trade if he wasn't made the highest-paid safety in the NFL. 

That has since been the narrative around Baker, though we did get a bit of clarity on NFL Network's Good Morning Football when Mike Garafolo highlighted Baker:

"We talked about storylines that are eventually flying under the radar, and to me it was Budda Baker with an unsettled contract situation and a trade request earlier this offseason," said Garafolo. 

"He said he will be there for training camp, the team has said all the right things about welcoming him as a part of the team, but he's only under contract for this upcoming season [2024 is a club option according to Spotrac]."

Garafolo then said Baker's agent - David Mulugheta - texted him and cleared the air. 

"He doesn't want to be the highest paid safety, he never said that," said Baker's agent. 

"He just wants to be paid fairly for what he brings to the table. He told the team before the season started he wanted to go play for a contender - he didn't want to be part of a rebuild. 

"His agent believes it's time the Cardinals extend Budda if they believe he is a long-term part of their future plans." 

From @gmfb: #AZCardinals S Budda Baker has vowed to be in attendance for the start of training camp but his agent David Mulugheta made it clear that doesn’t mean his client’s situation is resolved. pic.twitter.com/v0LxF7WcEQ

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 30, 2023

Baker has no guaranteed money left on his contract and will be 29 years old heading into the 2025 offseason as a free agent. 

According to Spotrac, Baker ranks in the following categories for safeties in terms of contracts this season:

Cap Hit: No. 1 ($16.8 million)
Cash: No. 4 ($13 million)
Average: No. 4 ($11.5 million)

The Cardinals have been in negotiations with Baker's team and his departure from Arizona is widely believed to be unlikely at this point in time. 

However, there's still plenty of business to be had before anyone can definitively say Baker is remaining with the Cardinals.  

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