u/Cannolidog

I love seeing a Cardinal making this type of content. He speaks more candid than you’d get in a press conference.

Some facts:

Budda Baker has made the pro bowl every year of his career except once (2018)

He is 30 years old and will be 31 on January 10th

He has a $19.2 million cap hit and a potential out after 2026 with only $3 mil dead cap and $17.8 mil cap savings

He was ranked 84th out of 98 qualified safeties in 2025 per PFF (if that matters to you)

My thoughts:

I agree with PFF that he had a bad season. Eye test didn’t look good. But I also think it’s totally possible that Budda was aware that the Cardinals weren’t going anywhere last season and, as a result, may not have been as willing to put his body on the line in a lost season.

I do not think Budda is washed. I firmly believe he has at least 1 more pro bowl caliber season in him. However, beyond that I don’t know if he has more high level seasons in him. The Cardinals will be bad again this season and it feels like wasted value putting additional tread on his tires for this team. His all out, very physical style of play at his smaller stature doesn’t feel like it will age particularly well.

Trade value:

All in all I think I’d trade Budda for a 2027 3rd round pick if that was offered. Less than that and I’m comfortable continuing to carry him on the roster. If nothing else, he’s a class act franchise player and can continue being a leader on the defense.