Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker will not be a free agent this offseason. He will be in 2021. The two-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL in solo tackles and was fourth in total tackles must be paying attention the contract extension that fellow safety Eddie Jackson got.
Jackson, who plays for the Chicago Bears, just signed a four-year, $58.4 million contract extension with $33 million in guaranteed money, his agency announced.
Jackson has been named to the Pro Bowl each of his last two seasons. He was an All-Pro in 2018. He entered the league the same year Baker did.
He is now the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
Baker has not put up the same kind of numbers as Jackson, who has 10 career interceptions and five career defensive touchdowns. However, this contract will serve as a blueprint.
Baker, coming off his third season, is now eligible to negotiate a contract extension. The Cardinals could try to lock him up this offseason or let things play out one more season.
If Baker has another season like 2019, keeping him around will not be cheap.
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. 254
Ep. 253:
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