Budda Baker - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

2026 NFL Draft: Pro Player Comps for Fernando Mendoza, Other Top Draft Prospects

This year's crop of top draft prospects have some impressive pro player comps, from Jared Goff to Davante Adams to Fred Warner.

APRIL 20 • FOX SPORTS

2026 NFL Draft: Pro Player Comps for Fernando Mendoza, Other Top Draft Prospects

Cardinals Cover 2 - Andrew Wingard Bringing Gardeck Grit, Budda Mindset To Arizona Ep. 990 – At first glance, he reminds you of Dennis Gardeck, maybe even Pat Tillman (or Kurt Cobain, according to Paul Calvisi.) Watch him p...

MARCH 25 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Budda Baker Starts NASCAR Engines Cardinals safety Budda Baker serves as Grand Marshal for the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series GOVX 200 in Phoenix.

MARCH 22 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Exclusive: Myles Rowser on Jordyn Tyson, Budda Baker and the NFL Draft | Sporting News Arizona State safety Myles Rowser speaks with Sporting News about the teams showing interest as the draft approaches

MARCH 16 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

NFL rumors: Predicting landing spots for Maxx Crosby and 5 more defensive stars Predicting trade landing spots for Maxx Crosby, Budda Baker, Dexter Lawrence, and more defensive stars as NFL rumors heat up before free age...

FEBRUARY 25 • FANSIDED.COM

Arizona Cardinals break ground on performance center, headquarters that is scheduled to open in 2028

The Arizona Cardinals broke ground on a new performance center and team headquarters Thursday, moving forward in an attempt to improve practice facilities that NFL players deemed a...

FEBRUARY 19 • Associated Press

2025 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Winner Budda Baker Cardinals safety Budda Baker was named the NFL's Art Rooney Sportsmanship award recipient for the 2025 season.

FEBRUARY 6 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Another 100-plus tackles in 2025 Baker accrued 120 tackles, including 0.5 sack, five pass defenses (one interception) and one fumble recovery in 16 regular-season games in 2025.

Impact After posting a career-high 164 tackles during the 2024 campaign, Baker was a bit more muted in box scores this season, but he still finished with triple-digit stops for the sixth time in his nine-year career and was one of five defensive backs league wide to reach 120. He also picked off a pass for the first time since 2022. The 30-year-old has two years remaining on his current contract, so he should remain a top-tier IDP option this coming season.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Plans to play in season finale Baker (concussion/thumb) was a full practice participant Thursday and said that he'll play Sunday against the Rams after clearing concussion protocol, Zach Gershman of the Cardinal...

Impact Baker missed last Sunday's loss to Cincinnati while in concussion protocol, but he said Thursday that he's since passed through the NFL's five-step process and is good to go for Sunday. That should be a big boost to Arizona's defense, which was torched by the combination of Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco for a 121.2 passer rating last weekend. Baker ranks second on the Cardinals with 111 tackles on the campaign (one behind linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither) and has added five defensed passes, including one interception.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Budda Baker Press Conference: January 1st, 2025 Budda Baker speaks with the media on Thursday, January 1st.

JANUARY 1 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Limited in Wednesday's practice Baker (concussion/thumb) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Baker was unable to play against the Bengals in Week 17 while in the league's concussion protocol. He's also working through a thumb injury, and his ability to return to practice in a limited capacity indicates that he is progressing in his recovery. Baker would need an independent neurologist to clear him from concussion protocol in order for him to be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams.

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals rule out longest-tenured player ahead of Sunday The Arizona Cardinals ruled out safety Budda Baker with a concussion/thumb injury ahead of Friday. The nine-year NFL veteran will not play a...

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • RAISINGZONA.COM

Remains out Sunday Baker (concussion/thumb) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bengals, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact The 29-year-old sustained a concussion in the Cardinals' Week 16 loss to the Falcons and wasn't able to clear protocol in time to suit up Sunday. Baker is now in line to miss his first game of the season, having recorded 111 total tackles and five passes defensed, including one interception, over 15 appearances. While he's sidelined in Week 17, expect Kitan Crawford to operate as Arizona's top free safety.

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice Wednesday Baker (concussion) didn't participate in Arizona's practice Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports.

Impact Baker remains in the league's concussion protocol after sustaining a concussion during the Week 16 loss versus the Falcons. The 2017 second-round pick will need to clear the protocol before he's eligible to return. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson and Kitan Crawford would see increased playing time during Sunday's game versus the Bengals if Baker ends up being unable to play.

DECEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

In concussion protocol Head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters Wednesday that Baker is in concussion protocol following Sunday's 26-19 loss to the Falcons, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site...

Impact Despite playing 68 defensive snaps and recording 10 total tackles and one pass defensed in the Week 16 loss, the 29-year-old appears to have sustained a concussion. Baker must clear the NFL's five-step protocol in order to play in the Week 17 matchup against the Bengals. If he's unable to suit up Sunday, expect Kitan Crawford to start at free safety.

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Registers 10 stops in Week 16 Baker totaled 10 tackles (four solo) and a defensed pass Sunday in a loss to Buffalo.

Impact Baker briefly left the game to be evaluated for a concussion but was able to return shortly thereafter. He ended up tying his season high in stops, with his previous 10-tackle performance taking place Week 1 against New Orleans. Baker has posted 111 tackles on the campaign, marking his sixth career regular season with triple-digit stops. He's also notched five defensed passes, including an interception, this season.

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to return Baker (concussion) has been cleared to return to Sunday's matchup versus the Falcons, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports.

Impact Baker has returned to the game after briefly exiting in order to be evaluated for a concussion. The 29-year-old should continue to serve as the team's top option at free safety.

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Being evaluated for concussion Baker is being evaluated for a concussion and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Impact Baker left the game in the third quarter with a head injury and is being evaluated by one of the league's independent neurologists for a concussion. If he is deemed to have suffered the injury, he will be unable to return to Sunday's contest and will have to enter the league's concussion protocol.

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Budda Baker Press Conference: December 18th, 2025 Budda Baker speaks with the media on Thursday, December 18th.

DECEMBER 18, 2025 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Posts eight tackles in defeat Baker recorded eight tackles (five solo) in the Cardinals' 40-20 loss to the Texans on Sunday.

Impact Baker has at least eight tackles in seven of his 14 appearances this season and has now produced 101 tackles (46 solo), including 0.5 sacks, four pass breakups, including one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery on 99 percent of the defensive snaps during the 2025 campaign.

DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies six stops in Week 14 defeat Baker logged six tackles (three solo) Sunday in a loss to the Rams.

Impact Baker had a relatively quiet game, finishing tied for fourth on Arizona in stops. That was his lowest mark since he logged five tackles against Seattle in Week 10. Still, Baker has been an elite IDP option this season, registering 93 tackles (including 0.5 sacks) and four defensed passes (including one interception) through 13 games.

DECEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Budda Baker Media Availability | Week 14 vs Los Angeles Rams Budda Baker speaks with the media in the locker room following practice.

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Compiles nine tackles Sunday Baker recorded nine tackles (three solo) and a pass defensed during Sunday's 20-17 loss at Tampa Bay.

Impact With another nice day in the box score in Week 13, Baker has now tallied at least seven tackles in five of his last six games. He's easily on pace for the sixth 100-plus tackle season of his career and projects as a good IDP play in most formats in a Week 14 matchup versus the Rams.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tristan Wirfs' TD catch and late defensive stop help Buccaneers beat Cardinals 20-17

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have snapped a three-game skid with a 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals

NOVEMBER 30, 2025 • Associated Press

Preview of Cardinals' Matchup | Bucs Blitz A look at the Buccaneers’ Week 13 clash with the Cardinals, including the return of Bucky Irving and the challenges that Trey McBride and Bu...

NOVEMBER 28, 2025 • BUCCANEERS.COM

BUDDA BAKER NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

2026 NFL Draft: Pro Player Comps for Fernando Mendoza, Other Top Draft Prospects

Arizona Cardinals break ground on performance center, headquarters that is scheduled to open in 2028

Tristan Wirfs' TD catch and late defensive stop help Buccaneers beat Cardinals 20-17