Why does Budda Baker want to be traded?

According to ESPN, Budda Baker, the Arizona Cardinals’ two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl safety, has requested a trade.

Budda Baker reportedly informed the team in February 2023, that he wanted to be traded or receive a new contract that would make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL.

Budda Baker old’s current contract with the Cardinals expires in two years. He’s scheduled to earn slightly more than $13 million in 2023 and $14.2 million in 2024.

His contract will limit the number of teams that will likely pursue him in a trade. If they trade him, it will most likely be before or during the first round of the NFL Draft in order to obtain several high draft picks in exchange.

Budda Baker, the 36th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, was named to his fourth straight Pro Bowl in 2022. Baker was an All-Pro as a rookie and has made 83 starts for the Cardinals.

Baker has seven interceptions, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 7.5 sacks, and 32 tackles for loss in his first six seasons. Almost every team would love to have a player of Baker’s calibre on their roster.