The Philadelphia Eagles may soon look to strengthen their secondary, especially with the 2024 NFL trade deadline approaching. It seems highly likely that the Eagles will make some moves to either offload or acquire players in key areas. One player who has been linked to the Eagles is Arizona Cardinals’ star safety Budda Baker. Having been involved in trade rumors for months, Baker is seen as a potential fit for the Eagles’ defense, a unit that has struggled since their Super Bowl run in 2022. The 33rd Team’s Jeff Diamond even predicted that Baker could land in Philadelphia.
Baker, a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, has had a rocky relationship with the Cardinals’ front office, mainly due to contract disputes. After signing a four-year, $59 million contract extension in 2020 that made him the highest-paid safety at the time, he later expressed dissatisfaction with the deal. Though he received a pay raise for the 2023 and 2024 seasons without an extension, Baker is set to hit free agency in 2025 unless further extended. This situation has fueled speculation about a potential trade, especially as the Cardinals look to rebuild.
On the other hand, the Eagles’ defense, which was second-ranked during their 2022 Super Bowl campaign, saw a significant drop in performance last season, ranking 26th. Their defensive struggles were evident in the team’s poor finish, losing six of their last seven games, including a heavy playoff defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This season, the Eagles suffered a 33-16 loss to the same Bucs before heading into their bye week. Addressing their defensive issues, particularly in the secondary, is crucial if they are to contend for another Super Bowl run.
Acquiring a player like Baker would address many of the Eagles’ defensive shortcomings. Although Baker comes with a hefty price tag, Jeff Diamond argues that Philadelphia has both the salary cap flexibility and the draft capital—likely needing to offer a second-round pick—to make such a deal. Baker’s presence would not only upgrade the secondary but also bring leadership and experience to a defense that has been lacking consistency.
In short, while a trade for Budda Baker would be costly, his talent and impact on the field make him an ideal candidate to elevate the Eagles’ defense. With the trade deadline looming, it might be time for Philadelphia to reach out to the Cardinals and explore what it would take to bring Baker to their roster.
