Cardinals safety Budda Baker did not participate in offseason activities with the team last year in hopes of securing a long-term contract extension, which did not materialize. He eventually reported to training camp after negotiating additional bonuses and incentives in his existing deal. However, the lack of an extension means he is now entering the final year of his contract. Despite this, Baker is not changing his approach to offseason programs or the upcoming season. He maintains a high level of urgency in his play regardless of his contract status, treating every year as if it were a contract year.
On Monday, Baker expressed his dedication to the game, emphasizing that he loves football and plays at a high level every week because of the hard work he puts in. He believes in focusing on what he can control and doing his job to the best of his ability, trusting that everything else will fall into place. The Cardinals have undergone significant changes since General Manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon joined the team last year, with a continued process of adding new pieces until a winning formula is found. The upcoming months will play a crucial role in determining whether Baker will continue to be a part of the team’s plans beyond 2025.