At 2-4, the Arizona Cardinals are dangerously close to being sellers at the trade deadline and parting ways with star players like Budda Baker. The Cardinals entered the 2023 season knowing that head coach Jonathan Gannon would need some time to fix a broken roster. With Kyler Murray returning from his ACL injury, Arizona started the season on a 1-8 skid. However, Arizona went 3-5 with a rusty Murray back in the lineup, and some believed the Cardinals could surprise in 2024 with Murray healthy paired with first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr.
While the offense has improved, Murray and company could not compensate for a defense that enters Week 7 ranked 27th in points allowed. General Manager Monti Ossenfort acknowledged that trade talks are happening, and it’s easy to envision the team parting ways with an older veteran like Budda Baker if the season continues to go south. A six-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro, Baker remains an above-average starter who should generate some interest from teams like the Baltimore Ravens or New Orleans Saints.
“I think with the trade deadline just around the league, I think a lot of conversations happen…As with anything we do, it’s got to be a situation that makes sense for us. The cost of it, not doing the deal opposed to doing the deal. Those are all conversations we’ll continue to have and see if it makes sense for us to go down a road…”
Cardinals Could Trade Budda Baker to Ravens, Saints
After losing Geno Stone to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Baltimore Ravens took a low-risk gamble on former Chicago Bear Eddie Jackson. Entering Week 7, that bet is not working out. Once viewed as the future of the safety position, Jackson doesn’t have the same abilities that made him so special in 2018 and 2019. While teams can survive with a subpar third safety, Jackson’s shortcomings affect the Ravens more than your average team. Baltimore loves playing with three safeties, and with Jackson struggling, the team could execute a trade for Budda Baker.
While Budda Baker isn’t the same player he once was, the trade target has more in his tank than Jackson. Despite their 4-2 record, Baltimore’s defense hasn’t played up to their usual strong standard, and they must add some talent to ease the burden on Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the offense. Baker’s skillset perfectly complements Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams, and perhaps a more stable option like Baker can help bring out the best in Williams, who is having a rough year of his own.
Saints Salvaging Their Season?
Following a 2-0 start, the injury-ravaged Saints dropped five straight games while losing just about every meaningful playmaker on the roster to some type of ailment. Most teams would accept that this isn’t their year and not make any big moves, but the Saints are not most teams. General Manager Mickey Loomis refuses to rebuild and build toward the future, and he knows this team can win when all the pieces are healthy. With that in mind, perhaps Loomis and company trade for Budda Baker to reinforce a struggling defense that needs all the playmakers it can find.
Safety Tyrann Mathieu is currently nursing a forearm injury. While the former All-Pro is playing through the pain, it’s safe to assume he’s not at full strength. Much like Baker, Mathieu can play both safety positions at an adequate level, and this versatility could be a huge add for New Orleans. If they trade for Budda Baker, the Saints can throw him in the box, minimizing the damage Mathieu needs to take on running plays and increasing the odds of keeping him on the field.
Main Photo: Jeff Hanisch – USA Today Sports
