Arizona Cardinals announced on Tuesday that the team locked their Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker to a four-year extension. Reportedly, the deal is worth $59 million, which makes Baker the highest-paid safety in the game on an annual basis.
Baker, who has one year left on his rookie deal, is set to receive $14.75 million-per-year, which puts him above Chicago Bears’ Eddie Jackson, who earns $14.6 million annually. Washington’s Landon Collins has the biggest overall deal, having signed six-year, $84 million contract in 2019.
Locking Baker to an extension was a priority for Cardinals this offseason, considering his contributions both on the field and in the locker room. The 2017’s second-round pick emerged as the vocal team leader while having the ability to make game-changing plays with his ball tracking and reliable tackling.
“I’ve been focusing on football, focusing on getting this new team here together, trying to be a lot better than we have been the last few years,” said Baker earlier this month about the contract extension. “My focus has been on that, and if the contract comes, it comes.”
Budda Baker played 46 games in the NFL in the past three seasons and has two Pro Bowl appearances alongside one First-Team All-Pro selection. His career stats include 323 total tackles including 18 tackles for loss, alongside 3.5 sacks, 14 pass deflections, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown.
