The Arizona Cardinals will have a decision to make on star safety Budda Baker after this season because the veteran is slated to hit free agency after he completes the final year of his deal in 2024.
But the Cardinals could make a decision on Baker well before that. Many believe he could be a trade candidate for Arizona ahead of next month's deadline. It is possible, but will depend on the Cardinals' standing in the playoff hunt.
With speculation surrounding the Cardinals possibly trading Baker by Nov. 5, The 33rd Team's Jeff Diamond recently predicted that he would get dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles at the trade deadline.
Arizona is coming off an upset win in San Francisco and, at 2-3, could be a playoff contender in the NFC. Their defense is not great (25th ranked, even with Baker). They may decide to hang onto their leading tackler, but if they think he’s headed out the door in 2025 free agency (which is likely) and the team is still below .500 at the trade deadline, a good offer may entice them to trade Baker.
Philadelphia’s defense was second-ranked in 2022 when they were a Super Bowl team, but they took a big dip to 26th last season in a season that ended badly with losses in six of their last seven games, including a playoff blowout at Tampa Bay, who then beat them again 33-16 two weeks ago before their bye. The Eagles D currently ranks No. 27 and Baker would be an obvious upgrade over starting safeties Reed Blankenship and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Baker would be a plus addition to the Eagles' pass defense (65.4 coverage grade, per Pro Football Focus), which currently ranks 24th in the NFL. But he's at his best when playing in the box and defending against the run (81.4 run defense grade).
Diamond estimates that it would cost a second-round pick to acquire Baker in a trade, and that is a deal the Cardinals would take. However, the Eagles might balk at such a price because Baker could either be a rental or Philly will have to give him a lucrative extension make sure he doesn't leave town in 2025.
But again, Baker's availability will depend upon where they sit in the standings. The Cardinals are currently 2-3 and right in the thick of things in the NFC West. With four games left to play before the deadline, there's still ample time for Arizona to figure out what to do with its stud defensive back.
