Getty Image / Kevin Abele
It’s starting to look like all of those changes the Arizona Cardinals made to their coaching staff and front office haven’t really made much of a difference for the organization.
They were widely mocked after a report revealed they are the only team in the NFL that still charges players for meals.
Then there were allegations of misconduct against the team’s owner.
Now one of their stars wants out of the organization.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, star Cardinals safety Budda Baker has requested a trade.
Cardinals’ Pro-Bowl safety Budda Baker now has requested that Arizona trade him, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 14, 2023
This report comes after Baker’s Twitter account got some attention earlier today because he had removed “AZ” from his bio.
Budda Baker's Twitter bio then vs now.
AZ is now missing. pic.twitter.com/uxFvV1rz2J
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) April 14, 2023
According to Schefter, this is something that has been coming for a while. He reported that Baker told the Cardinals back in February that he either wanted to be made the highest paid safety in the NFL or be traded.
Team source: Budda Baker informed the Cardinals in February that he wanted to be traded or receive a new deal to make him the highest-paid safety.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 14, 2023
Right now, the league’s biggest safety contract belongs to Derwin James, who makes $19 million per year. Baker’s current deal doesn’t quite reach that level, but he is still in the top 10 of highest paid safeties.
Baker makes the 7th most monet at the position at $14.75 million dollars per year.
With the Cardinals attempting to rebuild right now, it appears they were unwilling to give Baker the contract he was looking for.
Now they’ll find themselves looking to trade another one of their stars as they are already struggling to trade DeAndre Hopkins.
It appears the Arizona Cardinals are going to have to really commit to their rebuild now.