Eagles Set to Sign $59 Million Former All-Pro to Address Persistent Problems
The Philadelphia Eagles sought to bolster their secondary this offseason by drafting cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, while also re-signing safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. However, their efforts didn’t prevent a late-game collapse in Week 2.
For the third time in nine games, the Eagles surrendered a game-winning touchdown in the final minute of regulation, this time against the Atlanta Falcons.
Philadelphia’s defensive backfield continues to struggle, prompting Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox to suggest on September 18 that the Eagles should pursue two-time All-Pro safety Budda Baker.
With their persistent secondary issues, the Eagles should seriously consider trying to acquire Budda Baker from Arizona, Knox wrote. While C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship form a solid safety duo, Baker’s versatility could make him a perfect fit for Vic Fangio’s complex defensive schemes.
Baker, a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and 2020 and a second-team All-Pro in 2021, is also a six-time Pro Bowler. Last season, he recorded 87 tackles and five tackles for loss in 12 games.
In August 2020, Baker signed a four-year, $59 million extension with the Cardinals.
How Budda Baker Can Help the Eagles Secondary
As a rookie in 2017, Baker only started seven games after being drafted in the second round by the Cardinals. Despite this, he earned a first-team All-Pro selection with 74 combined tackles, 7 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.
By 2018, Baker had secured a regular starting role in Arizona’s secondary and has since started at least 12 games each season.
In 2019, he led the NFL with 104 solo tackles and has reached 100 tackles four times, also intercepting seven passes.
Baker has been selected to the Pro Bowl every year except 2018.
Such a veteran presence could greatly benefit the Eagles’ secondary, which is seeking stability after another disappointing finish in Week 2. Philadelphia allowed Kirk Cousins to pass for 70 yards on a 65-second drive that led to the game-winning touchdown for the Falcons in the final minute on September 16.
Gardner-Johnson, who returned to play safety for the Eagles this offseason, was tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions in 2022. He also has position flexibility, having played about a quarter of his snaps in the slot last season. If the Eagles were to add Baker, Gardner-Johnson could potentially move into a nickel cornerback role, providing the team with more overall experience in their secondary and helping to avoid similar late-game issues in the future.
Potential obstacles to the Eagles trading for Baker
Knox has suggested for a while that Baker could be a trade candidate due to his contract situation.
“Few teams wouldn’t benefit from Baker in their secondary,” Knox noted, though he added that any team interested in acquiring him would likely need to offer a contract extension.
Baker has been the subject of trade rumors since requesting either a new deal or a trade last offseason, although he eventually settled for a pay raise for his final two years.
In a July 26 interview with AZ Central’s Theo Mackie, Baker expressed that he’s focusing on what he can control, indicating that he’s moved on from the contract issue.
This shift in focus could make it easier for Arizona to trade Baker before the deadline. However, there’s a potential hurdle for teams eyeing Baker—the Cardinals have been competitive through the first two weeks of the season.
Arizona has started 1-1, with their loss coming on the road against the surprisingly strong Buffalo Bills.
If the Cardinals remain in the playoff race by late October, Baker may no longer be available for a trade, including to the Eagles.
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