Budda Baker earns contract extension from Cardinals

‘Tis the season for contract extensions. Especially for six-time Pro Bowlers.

The Cardinals and safety Budda Baker agreed Tuesday night to a three-year contract extension through the 2027 season.

It comes after the Cardinals recently extended the contracts of running back James Conner, as well as starting center Hjalte Froholdt, as they plan for the future.

Baker had indicated all along that he hoped he would stay in Arizona. Baker, a second-round pick in 2017, had received his first contract extension from the Cardinals in 2020, and the team adjusted the remaining years before the 2023 season.

ESPN reported that Baker will get $30 million guaranteed and could be worth up to $54 million. Baker was scheduled to be a free agent after the season.

A team captain in each of the last five seasons, Baker was named first-team All-Pro as a special teamer in 2017 and as a safety in 2020, earning second-team honors in 2021.

This season, Baker is second in the NFL with 142 tackles and needs six to set a career high. He has been a threat all season for a defense that has played better than expected.

Baker said during training camp that he “of course” wanted to stay in Arizona long-term.

“I got drafted here, I know it wasn’t the same coach or the same (GM), but it’s the same owner,” Baker said. “And I got drafted here, been here for six years, for seven years, it’s been great for me. I love Arizona, I love Arizona fans, and I’m going to continue to play to the best of my ability, and that’s going to be on a time high level every single year, so of course.”