Budda Baker Will Show Up When He Has To, Says New Cardinals Coach Jonathan Gannon
Key Highlights :
Budda Baker is one of the most talented safeties in the NFL, and the Arizona Cardinals know that all too well. After signing a four-year, $59 million extension last year, Baker became the highest-paid safety in the league. But after requesting a trade last month, he has yet to participate in the Cardinals’ offseason program.
New Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said earlier this week that Baker will “show up when he wants to show up.” More accurately, Baker will show up when he HAS to show up. He would face a fine of $16,459 for missing the first day of mandatory minicamp, $32,920 for missing a second day and $49,374 for the third.
In his first interview since his trade request, Baker told Cameron Cox of 12Sports that he will be there when it’s time to be there. “When it’s time to be there, I’ll be there smiling and [be] the same regular guy that I am,” Baker said.
Baker has spent the offseason training with Justin King at Built Better AZ and is focused on getting stronger and built better. He is determined to never have a situation like missing games due to injury happen again.
Baker has been with the Cardinals since they made him a second-round pick in 2017. He earned Pro Bowl honors for the fifth time last season despite missing the final two games with a fractured shoulder. He will be a key piece of the team’s defense going forward, and it looks like he will be showing up when he has to.
