Report: Budda Baker receives pay raise prior to training camp

Following some offseason drama, Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker received a raise heading into training camp, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

Baker is getting $2.4 million in bonuses and incentives this year, including a $300,000 signing bonus. He also reportedly received a raise for the next season as well.

Baker led the Cardinals defense last season in tackles with 111. He also had two interceptions, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss.

A second-round pick out of Washington, Baker has played for Arizona for six seasons. In that span, he’s tallied a whopping 650 tackles. That total is good for third in the league since 2017. He’s also had 7.5 sacks and seven interceptions. All of his interceptions came over the last three seasons.

With two years left on his deal, Baker had threatened to request a trade away from the Cardinals. However, his agent and the team got a raise done in time for training camp. With a raise in hand, Baker can now focus on having a healthy preseason.

Baker has recovered from a shoulder injury he suffered at the end of last season. He’s made it a point to have his body in better condition to hopefully avoid such setbacks this coming fall.

“This whole offseason I’ve been focused on getting stronger and getting built better,” Baker told Cameron Cox of 12Sports this offseason. “I hate missing games. Being angry and being mad about not getting to play. That pi--ed me off. I want to never have a situation like that happen again.

“I’m continuing to have tunnel vision on my work ethic, being the best person I can be outside of football and just enjoying life. Enjoying this offseason, enjoying working hard each and every day, and just excited to go back and play football again.”

EA Sports Madden NFL 24’s top-rated safeties

Ahead of the release of Madden NFL 24 on Aug. 15, the game revealed the ratings for the top safeties in the league. Baker came in at No. 7 overall with a 90 rating.

Here’s how the rest of the ratings shook out for the NFL’s top safeties this preseason.

1. Derwin James, 95 – L.A. Chargers
2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, 93 – Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Justin Simmons, 92 – Denver Broncos
4. Kevin Byard, 92 – Tennessee Titans
5. Jessie Bates III, 91 – Atlanta Falcons
6. Tyrann Matthieu, 91 – New Orleans Saints
7. Budda Baker, 90 – Arizona Cardinals
8. Jordan Poyer, 90 – Buffalo Bills
9. Harrison Smith, 90 – Minnesota Vikings
10. Micah Hyde, 89 – Buffalo Bills

The safeties ranked from 11-20 are Marcus Williams, Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Jimmie Ward, Antoine Winfield, Talanoa Hufanga, Kyle Dugger, Eddie Jackson, Jevon Holland, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.