Potential landing spots for Cardinals All-Pro safety Budda Baker

The Arizona Cardinals' most decorated defensive player could be on the move.

ESPN's Adam Schefter recently reported that All-Pro safety Budda Baker told GM Monti Ossenfort in February to either trade him or make him the league's highest-paid safety. Arizona prefers not to trade him but might have to as it prepares to rebuild.

Baker has two years remaining on his current deal and carries cap hits in 2023 and 2024 of $16.9M and $18M, respectively. In 15 games last season, he recorded 111 tackles and two interceptions en route to earning his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection.

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Baker could cost a second or third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Here are three potential fits for the 27-year-old if Arizona trades him:

Denver Broncos

While Denver has missed the playoffs the past seven seasons, Baker's existing connection with a key staff member could make it an attractive destination.

In February, Denver re-hired its former head coach, Vance Joseph, as its defensive coordinator. Joseph, formerly with the Cardinals as their DC, has a strong rapport with Baker. The safety even advocated for Joseph to be Arizona's HC during its offseason search, per ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.

By trading for Baker, Denver would boast the best secondary in the NFL, alongside safety Justin Simmons and cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

Simmons, a three-time second-team All-Pro, possesses skills that complement Baker well. Baker isn't much of a ballhawk, with just seven career interceptions, whereas Simmons has recorded the second-most interceptions since being drafted in 2016 (27), including a league-leading six last season. 

Denver must shed salary to bring in Baker, and trading wideout Courtland Sutton, whose name has come up in conversations this offseason, could make it possible. If the Broncos wait until after June 1 to offload Sutton, they'd save $14.4M and have ample room to add Baker.

Cincinnati Bengals 

Although Cincinnati didn't want to pay Jessie Bates III, now with Atlanta, Baker's a tier above him talent-wise and is the kind of acquisition that makes a Super Bowl difference. 

With Vonn Bell also leaving in free agency, the Bengals will rely on 2022 first-rounder Daxton Hill and free agent signing Nick Scott as their starting safeties, barring a move. Hill and Scott have upside, but they've only combined for 19 career starts, creating an unfavorable situation for a team with championship aspirations.

Cincinnati has the cap space to acquire and extend Baker, at least for now, since quarterback Joe Burrow's looming extension could prevent Cincinnati from paying Baker his requested salary.

It's worth noting that Baker recently liked a tweet from USA Today's Chuck Harris, indicating his request was driven more by a desire to win than money. Perhaps he'll reconsider his demands should Cincinnati capture a title, and if that occurs, Baker probably wouldn't mind testing the open market when he's 29. 

Green Bay Packers

Despite sitting fifth in cap space, the Packers won't know what this season's budget is until QB Aaron Rodgers gets traded.

Rodgers would leave a $40.3M dead cap hit if traded before June 1, making it more likely he'll be dealt after then. Green Bay would only incur $15.8M in dead money by trading him post-June 1.  

Should Green Bay preserve some cap space by dumping Rodgers, GM Brian Gutekunst would be wise to spend it on Baker, as his current safety group is underwhelming. Darnell Savage, Pro Football Focus' 87th highest-graded safety and a free agent after this season, and newcomer Tarvarius Moore, who recorded eight combined tackles last season, are projected to start.

Aside from Baker's on-field performance, he's a powerful locker room presence, as evident in "Hard Knocks In Season: The Arizona Cardinals," which Green Bay needs during the post-Rodgers era.