Cardinals star expected at training camp despite contract dispute

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker did not get the trade or contract extension he was seeking this offseason, but it is not going to stop him from showing up on time to training camp on Tuesday. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that Baker is expected to report to camp with the rest of his Cardinals teammates on Tuesday despite the ongoing contract dispute. 

Baker will make $13.1M in base salary this season and has a contract that has no guaranteed money remaining on it. 

He reportedly wanted a trade earlier this offseason or a contract that indicated the team valued him. When he signed his current contract he was the highest-paid safety in the NFL, but he has seen several players pass him in recent years. 

That list includes Derwin James, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jamal Adams, Jessie Bates III, Harrison Smith and Justin Simmons. 

His agent said that Baker is not looking to reclaim the title of highest-paid safety.

A second-round pick by the Cardinals in 2017, Baker has become one of the most impactful defensive backs in the league during the first six years of his career. He has been named to the Pro Bowl five times and been a first-team All-Pro two times. 

The Cardinals are a team in a period of transition with a new front office and coaching staff, while also overturning a significant part of the roster this offseason. 

On paper the Cardinals might be one of the worst teams in the league and have very low expectations. They will need players like Baker to have major years if they are going to be even remotely competitive in the NFC West.