TEMPE, Ariz. — Eight-year NFL veteran Budda Baker is set to reach a decade's worth of experience in an Arizona Cardinals uniform, agreeing to a three-year contract extension Tuesday.
Baker, who was selected in the second round (No. 36 overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, leads all defensive backs in total tackles (861) and solo tackles (600) since entering the NFL. He is the only defensive back in the league with at least 85 tackles each of the last seven seasons.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Baker can earn $54 million but is guaranteed $30 million.
A six-time NFL Pro Bowler, Baker is the only safety to earn that recognition in each of the last five seasons. He currently leads the Cardinals this season with 142 tackles, which also places him second among all NFL players.
Baker is looking to help the Cardinals to their second playoff appearance since he arrived in the league. His only postseason appearance was a 34-11 loss against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams in 2022.
The Cardinals (7-7) close out the regular season with road games against the Panthers and Rams before their home finale against the 49ers.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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