By A.J. Olona

The Arizona Cardinals just reportedly signed safety Budda Baker to a four-year $59 million deal with $33.1 million of that guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This deal makes Budda Baker the highest paid safety throughout the NFL. The former second round-pick was entering the final year of his rookie deal and was set to make under $7 million for the season. The former Washington Husky receives a nice pay day heading into 2020.

Since entering the league in 2017, Baker has been a huge part of the Cardinals defense. In just his first season in the NFL, Baker was a First Team All-Pro. He has also made two trips to the Pro Bowl in his young career. In 2019, Baker had 147 tackles to go along with six passes defended, and 7 tackles for a loss. Throughout his career, Baker has accumulated 323 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 14 passes defended. The one stat that stands out for not being on that list is interceptions. Throughout his career, Baker has never managed to snag an interception.

However, the young safety does a lot for this Cardinals team, lining up all over the back end of that defense. Baker is still only 24 years old and continues to make strides with the cardinals defense. With another year in Vance Joseph’s scheme, and another year with Chandler Jones, Jordan Hicks, and Patrick Peterson, Baker will continue to grow. First round rookie Isaiah Simmons should open that Cardinals defense up more as well for the foreseeable future.

You can follow A.J. on Twitter @age_lona.