Budda Baker Receives Raise, Will Stay With Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker will be staying with the team after a nice pay raise.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is receiving a pay raise, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

"Budda Baker received a raise prior to camp, getting $2.4M in bonuses and incentives this year including a $300K signing bonus. He also received a raise for next season," Rapoport wrote in a tweet.

"AZ’s leader is back."

Sources: #AZCardinals star Budda Baker received a raise prior to camp, getting $2.4M in bonuses and incentives this year including a $300K signing bonus. He also received a raise for next season.

AZ’s leader is back. pic.twitter.com/SlAJFwbHDz

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2023

Rapoport also added, "One of the more intriguing storylines of the offseason comes to a close, with Baker back in the fold — great news for coach Jonathan Gannon and the new AZ regime."

It was a long offseason for Baker, who reportedly asked to be one of the highest-paid safeties in the league or traded months back. The Cardinals didn't do either, and now the two sides found a middle ground that was worked on since the days of mandatory minicamp.

"He's a big part of this team. ... I think we're going to continue to keep our discussions and line of communication open, which Budda's been great. His representation's been great," Ossenfort said.

"We're going to get through this week here and see where we're at."

Baker - just 27-years-old - initially had two years left on his deal with no guaranteed money. 

As the Cardinals look to move forward in the beginning stages of their rebuild, they'll confidently do so with Baker in the mix.