Budda Baker only Cardinal considered one of NFL’s elite

The eight-year veteran was named to the second team alongside Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton.

The honor was a gift for Baker, being announced as a member of this year’s AP All-Pro team for the first time since 2021 on his 29th birthday, but the selection comes at no surprise.

Baker was voted into his seventh Pro Bowl Games this season after recording 164 tackles, the second most in the league. His 95 solo tackles also were the runners-up in that respective category. He set a new franchise single-game record with 18 tackles against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14. Alongside his plethora of defensive stops, the strong safety posted 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, five pass deflections and forced a fumble.

His second team selection is the second of his career, matching his 2021 campaign. He was named first team All-Pro in 2017 (special teams) and 2020.

Baker has brought his career total tackles to 901 following his high volume in 2024, and is trending to break 1,000 next year, permitting a healthy season. It’s not a matter of if he’ll do it, but when. What is for certain is he’ll do it as a Cardinal.

Arizona and Baker came to terms on a three-year, $54 million extension to keep the vet in cardinal red, white and black for the foreseen future.

The Cardinals found a gem in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft and is hoping he continues to shine in Arizona.