For Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim, he wants more than just talented players on his roster. He wants them to have some traits beyond the physical talent that is requisite in the league.
He wants a particular personality and passion.
Safety Budda Baker has that.
It is one of the biggest reasons why the Cardinals rewarded Baker with a four-year contract extension, making him reportedly the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
Keim used Baker as an example with scouts before the draft as the sort of player they need to find.
Keim spoke about Baker at the press conference to announce his extension and described how he started scouting meetings this year by playing a clip of a Baker highlight.
It was against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baker flew across the field past several teammates and prevented a touchdown on a play in which there were multiple missed tackles.
“That was an emphasis of ‘what does a Cardinal look like,'” he said. “To me, that’s everything that Budda Baker embodies — his passion, his love for the game, the speed, the explosiveness he plays with every snap and his desire.”
Baker is not yet at the peak of his career. He is still ascending. He also has the respect from his peers in the league and also his teammates.
It doesn’t feel like this is a contract the Cardinals will regret.
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