In a move that has sent ripples through the NFL community, the Arizona Cardinals and star safety Budda Baker have reportedly reached a three-year contract extension worth $54 million. The deal makes Baker one of the highest-paid players at his position, but the contract raises a few eyebrows — particularly when considering the state of the Cardinals’ roster and their long-term direction.
The Risky Investment
Baker has undoubtedly been one of the few bright spots for Arizona over the past few seasons, emerging as an elite safety with his relentless playmaking ability, including over 100 tackles in four consecutive seasons. However, with the Cardinals mired in a rebuild under new head coach Jonathan Gannon, the question must be asked: Is committing $54 million to a player in his mid-20s — at a position that often gets overlooked in terms of value — the wisest use of resources?
While Baker is a dynamic player, securing him for a significant portion of the team’s cap space signals a bet that the Cardinals will be competitive during the term of this deal. But can Arizona afford to prioritize a high-paid safety when they need to rebuild nearly every other area of the team, including quarterback, wide receiver, and the offensive line?
The Safety Position: Underpaid but Overvalued?
Baker’s contract extension comes at a time when the safety position is often underappreciated in terms of financial compensation, yet it’s frequently overvalued by teams desperate to have a “game-changing” player in the secondary. When we look at the market for safeties, only a handful make near $54 million — but Baker’s deal stands out, given the overall lack of playoff contention from the Cardinals.
While his ability to impact games on defense is undeniable, the safety position generally doesn’t carry the same weight in terms of game-changing influence as, say, a quarterback, edge rusher, or wide receiver. Given the current state of the NFC West and the fact that Arizona is seemingly in the midst of a full-scale rebuild, some might argue that this investment in a safety is better suited for a team on the cusp of championship contention — not one that is expected to endure several years of mediocrity.
The Bigger Picture: Why Now?
It’s worth noting that Baker had previously requested a trade earlier this offseason, after expressing dissatisfaction with his contract in the wake of a series of large extensions handed out to other stars. His initial desire to leave indicated his frustration, especially with the direction of the team, and yet he ends up staying with a hefty pay raise.
The timing of this extension is curious. Did the Cardinals feel pressured into paying up due to fear of losing a key leader in the locker room? Or did they genuinely believe that securing Baker long-term was critical to the defense’s future — especially when they could have let him play out the final year of his current deal and potentially rebuilt around him more strategically in 2025?
For some, this extension reeks of an emotional decision, rather than a calculated, long-term strategy for success. After all, with no playoff appearances in sight, a top-tier safety should perhaps not be the player you sink $54 million into — especially when there are more pressing needs on both sides of the ball.
Baker’s Legacy in Arizona: Superstar or Role Player?
Looking at Baker’s career in Arizona, it’s clear that he’s more than just a solid player. He’s a leader, an anchor for the defense, and a guy who gives 110% on every play. He has shown that he can be one of the best at his position, earning three Pro Bowl selections. But is that enough to justify a $54 million investment for a team in flux?
The extension raises the question: Is Baker truly a “superstar” — the kind of player who can singlehandedly turn around a franchise? Or is he more of a role player who happens to be at the right place at the right time, without enough help around him to make a real difference in terms of postseason success? Teams like the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers have shown that you can field a successful defense without necessarily having the highest-paid players at every position, and in some cases, it’s about having the right mix of talent, not just high-priced stars.
Conclusion: A Steep Price for Uncertain Returns
In the end, the Cardinals’ decision to extend Budda Baker raises legitimate questions about their approach to team-building. While Baker is undoubtedly a valuable piece of the puzzle, the $54 million extension could ultimately be seen as a misallocation of resources for a team that’s years away from legitimate playoff contention.
Of course, if Baker can maintain his elite level of play and the team can make strides toward being competitive in the next few seasons, the contract could end up being a savvy investment. But right now, it looks like the Cardinals are betting big on one of the game’s most underappreciated positions at a time when the franchise has bigger, more pressing issues to address.
In the NFL, sometimes it’s not just about having great players, but about how those players fit into the larger, often volatile, puzzle of a team’s long-term vision. The jury is still out on whether this extension will pay dividends or become one more example of a team throwing big money at the wrong player at the wrong time.