While Revealing DeAndre Hopkin’s Trade Timeline, NFL Insider Strictly Rejects Any Chances for Budda Baker to Get Similar Treatment From the Cardinals

The 2023 offseason has been one which has seen many turns and tides up until now. From Jalen Hurts bagging a contract that makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history, to the uncertainty that surrounds Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson, there are many instances that have captured the interest of NFL fans. With the offseason still going, fans can expect the arrival of more breaking news from the league. Now, it’s time for the Cardinals and their star players.

Amongst all the offseason drama, another incident that has captured the interest of the NFL world is the one going on in Arizona Cardinals with DeAndre Hopkins and Budda Baker. NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently spoke on how the Cardinals are gonna tread two very different roads with their two players.

Two very different outcomes for DeAndre Hopkins and Budda Baker

During a recent episode of ‘Pat McAfee Show’, Ian Rapoport stated that while the Cardinals already gave their permission to Hopkins to look for a potential team, they will not be willing to do the same with their safety Baker. He said that the situations are not similar between DeAndre Hopkins and Budda Baker. Speaking on Hopkins, he said that the WR is in talks with several teams and his future could be decided before the 2023 draft. When it comes to Baker, it is the complete opposite of Hopkins’s scenario.

Read more: DeAndre Hopkins Embeds Body Language as His Loudest Weapon to Signal Patrick Mahomes Message

Rapoport feels that the Cardinals do not wish to trade Budda Baker because of his importance in the defense of the franchise. They drafted Baker as a second-round pick in the 2017 draft. And ever since, he has solidified himself as the main core piece of the franchise’s defense. He earned Pro Bowl safety honors for the second time in 2020, recording 118 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and the first two interceptions of his career.

For the Cardinals, the 2023 offseason is all about the underlying questions regarding their WR Hopkins, Safety Baker, and QB Kyler Murray.

The offseason Arizona Cardinals drama

The Cardinals have a lot of questions to answer in their drawing room. And it all starts off with where Hopkins will be playing for the 2023 season. His $30.75 million cap hit is the highest for the team. If the team decides to reduce its cap space, then it will have to trade the player, which is currently being discussed on the table. However, if they decide to retain the WR, then it will be a major blow in terms of them rebuilding their roster. 

On the other hand, Baker stated to the franchise in February about his intentions of being traded or given a new contract that will make him the highest-paid safety. Baker has played all 6 seasons for the Cardinals, and had recently signed a four-year $59 million extension in 2020.

However, his last season ended with a fractured shoulder during a Week 16 match with Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Apart from this, the team is also waiting on the recovery of their QB Kyler Murray. But until Murray recovers, they have signed veteran QB Jeff Driskel in the hopes of filling the void left in the QB position.

With the draft within arms reach, it is going to be an interesting time for the Arizona Cardinals ahead of the 2023 season.

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