The Packers may be interested in trading for Budda Baker.
Although the Green Bay Packers have already added a star safety to their roster this offseason, a trade proposal might send All-Pro Budda Baker to the team, giving them the NFL’s most formidable secondary.
Prior to the 2023 season, Baker had made a trade request, but the Arizona Cardinals were able to stay onto him. With only one year remaining on his current deal, the Cardinals may attempt to acquire some assets in exchange for Baker before he hits free agency.
Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report offered some possible trade suggestions for the NFL’s leading Super Bowl contenders. In one of those trade offers, Baker was targeted by the Packers.
With the arrival of Budda Baker, “the Packers can go a step further to field one of the best safety tandems in the league,” noted Moton. “Despite Baker’s five consecutive Pro Bowl selections, Green Bay should be able to acquire him from the Arizona Cardinals with a late-round draft pick due to the modest demand for safeties.”
The Fit of Budda Baker in Green Bay
Although the defensive coaching staff has changed since last season, Baker has previously been linked to the Packers, so the move might still make sense for both parties.
Baker has been incredibly successful for the Cardinals. He is only 28 years old, yet he has already earned three All-Pro choices, including two spots on the first team, and six Pro Bowl berths.
The Packers signed Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $68 million contract, but they still have a significant need at safety. The Packers lack depth at safety, with the exception of McKinney. Right now, Tyler Coyle, Anthony Johnson Jr., Zayne Anderson, and Benny Sapp III are the only other safeties on the team.
In addition to Baker having a vacant starting place, the Packers have hired former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley as their new defensive coordinator. Having two elite safety in McKinney and Baker might give Green Bay one of the most formidable defensive backfields in the NFL. Hafley is known for producing defensive backs from his time as an NFL DBs coach.
Additional Green Bay Safety Measures
The Packers still have a ton of choices in free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft if they decide against trading for a safety.
Justin Simmons, a former standout player for the Denver Broncos, is still a free agent. Simmons, 30, has two Pro Bowl appearances on his record in addition to four choices to the second team of the All-Pro team. There is currently minimal movement in the free agency safety market, with Jordan Poyer, Eddie Jackson, and Quandre Diggs among the other available free agents.
To locate a possible starting quarterback, the Packers may potentially look to the 2024 NFL Draft. Among the intriguing names on the current consensus big board are Tyler Nubin of Minnesota and Kamren Kinchens of Miami.
The Packers have a lot of alternatives when it comes to adding another safety, but Baker is one of the most intriguing because of his achievements and output.
