The Cardinals were already facing uncertainty ahead of the 2023 NFL season, with quarterback Kyler Murray facing a long recovery from knee surgery and a new head coach and general manager still settling in. The path forward just got more complicated.
Star safety Budda Baker has requested a trade, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday.
Baker was one of the bright spots for a dismal Cardinals team in 2022 as he earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection. He was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2020 and is considered one of the NFL's top safeties.
Baker was a major part of the Cardinals' rise under Kliff Kingsbury, culminating in a trip to the playoffs in 2021, but he's now the latest of many core pieces in Arizona facing an uncertain future.
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Here's what you need to know about why Baker wants out of Arizona.
Why did Budda Baker request a trade from the Cardinals?
Schefter, citing a team source, reported that Baker told the Cardinals in February that he wanted to either be traded or signed to a long-term contract that would make him the league's highest-paid safety.
Team source: Budda Baker informed the Cardinals in February that he wanted to be traded or receive a new deal to make him the highest-paid safety.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 14, 2023
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler added that Baker "has long been unhappy with his situation" throughout this offseason.
While Schefter says Baker's initial request came in February, the Pro Bowl safety had made cryptic changes to his Twitter account in the 24 hours prior to Friday's report.
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He tweeted a gif Thursday night of Michael Jordan in "The Last Dance" documentary saying, "It became personal with me," and some fans noted Friday that Baker had removed a reference to Arizona from his bio.
— Budda Baker (@Buddabaker3) April 13, 2023
Baker tweeted what might have been one final message to Cardinals fans after the news broke Friday.
Love you cardinal fans!!!
— Budda Baker (@Buddabaker3) April 14, 2023
Reports haven't indicated whether the Cardinals are actively looking to trade Baker. He has two years remaining on his contract.
Budda Baker contract
Baker signed a four-year, $59 million contract extension with the Cardinals in 2020. The deal began in 2021, meaning he has two years left on it.
While his $14.75 million annual salary was close to top dollar at the time, Baker now sits seventh among safeties in terms of average annual value.
The Chargers' Derwin James is the highest-paid player at the position, making $19.1 million per year, while the Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick and the Seahawks' Jamal Adams both make north of $17 million annually.
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A list of the highest-paid safeties, by average annual value (AAV).
| Player | AAV | Team |
| Derwin James | $19.1 million | Chargers |
| Minkah Fitzpatrick | $18.4 million | Steelers |
| Jamal Adams | $17.6 million | Seahawks |
| Jessie Bates | $16 million | Falcons |
| Harrison Smith | $16 million | Vikings |
| Justin Simmons | $15.3 million | Broncos |
| Budda Baker | $14.75 million | Cardinals |
| Eddie Jackson | $14.6 million | Bears |
