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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

Budda Baker paying no attention to contract status

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is not going to a free agent this year but, entering his fourth season in the league, he will enter the final year of his contract. He is eligible for a contract extension. Some believe the team would like to ink him to a long-term deal.

It doesn’t appear that process has begun yet and Baker isn’t worried about it. He trusts that things will take care of themselves as long as he keeps playing at a high level.

“For me, I don’t pay attention to any of that type of stuff,” he said on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “I know that if I play my game and do what I can do every single day then all that stuff will come in time. Right now, I’m just focused on this season, focused on getting everyone together and getting better.”

Baker is a two-time Pro Bowler. He made it as a special teams player as a rookie and then was named as a Pro Bowl starter at safety this year.

Free agency begins just under two weeks and the Cardinals have roughly $40 million to spend. Giving Baker a contract extension will not save the Cardinals any money.

Traditionally, when the Cardinals have a young player due a contract extension before his rookie deal is up, that extension doesn’t happen until at least training camp.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 260

Ep. 259

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