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The Arizona Cardinals have officially made their two-time Pro Bowl Safety Budda Baker the richest defensive back in the history of the position. He will make an average of $14.75 million a year over the next four seasons. Baker was a second-round pick in 2017 and his original rookie contract was set to expire.
Here’s the oddity to Budda Baker becoming the highest-paid safety in NFL history. He has 323 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, 14 pass deflections.....but not a single interception. The NFL’s highest-paid safety hasn’t picked off a pass. https://t.co/VnoDgrRmuM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 25, 2020
Baker recorded a total of 147 tackles last season, 104 of which were solo. He was the only player in the NFL with more than 100 solo tackles. Oddly enough, Baker has not recorded an interception in his career. He has also pressured the quarterback 33 times since entering the league in 2017, which is the most in that time span.
Baker has proven to be a versatile player in all phases of the game and is being rewarded for it. Baker will be back on the field for the Cardinals season opener in San Francisco on Sunday September 13.