Cardinals' Baker: I treat every year 'like a contract year'

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker isn't making any significant changes as he prepares to enter a contract year.

The two-time first-team All-Pro is set to play out the final year of a four-year, $59-million extension that will see him earn $14.2 million in base salary this season, per Spotrac.

"A lot of people think about the money. Some players might think, 'Contract year, I gotta do extra.' I treat every single year like a contract year," Baker said Monday, according to Arizona Sports' Tyler Drake. "For me, I love this game. I play it at a high level each and every week because of the work I put in each and every week. For me, I'm an honest believer in controlling what I can control and do my job. At the end of the day, everything else will take care of itself."

The six-time Pro Bowl defensive back requested a trade last offseason during a standoff while pursuing a new deal. He skipped the voluntary portion of the team's OTAs but reported on time for both the mandatory minicamp and training camp.

Arizona reportedly rewarded Baker with a pay raise last July that included $2.4 million in bonuses and incentives in 2023. He also received an unspecified raise for the 2024 season.

Despite missing five games, Baker finished second on the team with 87 tackles last year on his way to earning his sixth Pro Bowl nod.

Entering his eighth year in the league, Baker understands that the NFL "is a business." So instead of focusing on his contract, the veteran safety is helping the Cardinals' young secondary and aiding the franchise's pursuit of more victories after back-to-back 4-13 finishes over the last two years.

"I really want to win, I really want these fans to be happy and excited and to come to the games and have those packed-out houses," Baker said.

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