This offseason has been a busy one for the Arizona Cardinals. They are under new management as general manager Steve Keim and head coach Kliff Kingsbury were both out. In their place, the Cardinals hired Monti Ossenfort to take over the front office with former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon taking over on the sidelines.

This is a big undertaking they have accepted as the Cardinals may have the worst roster currently in the NFL. However, the talent on that roster could get worse depending on what happens with star safety, Budda Baker.

Baker requested a trade from the team earlier this offseason hoping to receive a new contract or end up on a contending team. That isn’t a request that the Cardinals have accommodated to this point as they don’t have plans to trade away one of the best players on the roster.

Despite his trade request, Baker was present at the team’s mandatory minicamp. However, he did a hold-in, showing up for practice but not participating. The same could happen for training camp, as Baker is expected to be present when the Cardinals get back together later in July.

Baker’s agent, David Mulugheta, was cited for detailing Baker’s plans for training camp. He did make it clear, however, that his client is seeking a deal that shows he is a “long-term part of the team”.

Baker, a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Washington, is a five-time Pro Bowler with three All-Pro nominations; two first-teams and one second-team. He signed a four-year, $59 million contract in 2020 that keeps him under contract through 2024. The 2024 season is a team option, but with how well he has performed, it would be shocking if that option wasn’t exercised.

In six seasons, Baker has totaled 650 tackles with 32 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, seven interceptions and 34 passes defended. He is currently the seventh-highest-paid safety in the NFL but has put himself in line to receive a contract in line with the highest-paid players at the position.