30 June 2023 , 20:34
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Budda Baker is committed to staying at the Arizona Cardinals so long as he is paid fairly, after issuing trade demands to the NFL franchise.
After letting DeAndre Hopkins leave as a free agent, the Cardinals could do the same with Baker - with him now making it clear that he wants a new contract to remain with the team, or for them to trade him.
The safety handed in a trade request earlier this off-season after being openly tired with the team's lack of success in recent seasons.
NFL Network reported that Baker would play for the Cardinals again, but is looking for a new contract that 'pays him fairly'.
Baker's agent, David Mulugheta told NFL Network that he is not asking to be the highest paid safety in the league, but would like an extension from the team that proves he is a "long-term part of their future plans."
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Earlier this off-season, Baker criticised the team for their previous season in 2022, when they finished with a dismal 4-13 record after originally being projected to be a playoff team.
Baker spoke on record about how the team's preparation to build on their impressive 2021 season after finishing 11-5, which led to a poor year in 2022.
And after that disappointing season, the Cardinals have already lost three of their best players - letting Hopkins leave as a free agent, JJ Watt retiring and Kyler Murray likely to be out for the year after tearing his ACL.
Baker asked to be traded from the team this off-seasonThe safety was filmed in an emotional rant last year stating he is 'tired of losing', and clearly does not want to be on a losing team this upcoming season.
After a loss to rival Seattle Seahawks last season, Baker was recorded berating his teammates after a loss. In a recorded clip, he shouted at his teammates saying: "We need to step the f*** up, all of us! All of us! Work harder, recover, watch more film... I am tired of losing! It hurts my heart!".
The Cardinals are the strong favourites to be in line to have the first overall pick in next years draft, which means they'd have the worst record in the league this upcoming season. Baker is currently the seventh highest-paid safety in the league, and is set to make $14.75 million (£11.62m) in 2023.