Budda Baker Bio
Bishard “Budda” Baker (born January 10, 1996) is an American professional football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies before being selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. Baker is an eight-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro member, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier defensive backs.
Early Life and Background
Bishard “Budda” Baker was born on January 10, 1996, in Bellevue, Washington. He grew up in the Seattle area and developed into a Seattle Seahawks fan during his childhood. Baker attended Bellevue High School, where he starred as both a safety and running back on the football field. He also competed on the school’s track and field team, demonstrating his athletic versatility at a young age.
As a senior at Bellevue High School, Baker was named the Seattle Times High School Athlete of the Year, recognizing his standout performances across multiple sports. He was rated as a four-star recruit and ranked among the top safeties in his recruiting class. Baker originally committed to the University of Oregon to play college football, but he flipped his commitment to the University of Washington the night before National Signing Day, a decision that shaped his future career path.
Path to the NFL
Baker arrived at the University of Washington as a true freshman in 2014 and immediately made an impact on the Huskies’ defense. He started all 14 games during his freshman season, recording 80 tackles, one interception, and one sack. His strong play earned him Freshman All-American honors from USA Today, signaling his potential as a future professional.
As a sophomore in 2015, Baker started 12 of 13 games and was named first-team All-Pac-12 Conference after posting 49 tackles and two interceptions. He entered his junior season as a pre-season All-American and finished 2016 as a consensus All-American, earning first-team recognition from The Sporting News and the Football Writers Association of America. On January 3, 2017, Baker announced his decision to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2017 NFL draft, where he was projected as a second-round pick.
Budda Baker Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
The Arizona Cardinals selected Baker in the second round (36th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft, trading with the Chicago Bears to move up and secure him. On May 25, 2017, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $6.83 million. Baker impressed coaches throughout training camp and was named the backup free safety behind Tyrann Mathieu to begin his rookie season. He made his first career start in Week 11 after Tyvon Branch suffered a torn ACL, collecting 13 combined tackles and his first career sack.
Baker finished his rookie campaign with 74 combined tackles and seven pass deflections in 16 games. He was named to the Pro Bowl as a special teamer and earned first-team All-Pro honors, becoming one of the league’s most decorated rookies. In 2018, Baker transitioned to starting strong safety under new head coach Steve Wilks and recorded 102 combined tackles, two sacks, and his first career touchdown on a fumble return.
NFL Breakthrough (2019–2020)
Baker’s breakout came in 2019, when he started all 16 games at free safety under new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. He led the NFL in solo tackles and finished with 147 combined tackles, earning his second Pro Bowl selection. Baker was ranked 97th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2020, validating his emergence as an elite defender.
In 2020, Baker signed a four-year, $59 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid safety in NFL history at the time. He recorded his first career interception against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, a performance that earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Baker added two interceptions and two sacks during the season, finishing with 118 combined tackles and earning his third Pro Bowl nod along with second first-team All-Pro honors.
Veteran Stardom (2021–2023)
Baker continued his consistent excellence from 2021 through 2023, earning Pro Bowl selections in each season. In 2021, he recorded a career-high three interceptions and started all 17 games for the first time in his career. He switched to jersey No. 3 ahead of that season following the NFL’s expanded jersey number rules.
In 2022, Baker moved back to strong safety and posted 111 combined tackles and two interceptions before a fractured shoulder landed him on injured reserve for the final two games. The 2023 season was disrupted by a hamstring injury that kept him on injured reserve for several weeks, but he still earned his sixth Pro Bowl nomination after finishing with 87 tackles in 12 games.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2024–Present)
On December 17, 2024, Baker signed a three-year, $54 million contract extension that keeps him under contract with the Cardinals through the 2027 season. He returned as the starting strong safety under head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, paired once again with Jalen Thompson. Baker started all 17 games in 2024 and posted a career-high 164 combined tackles, finishing second in the NFL in that category. His performance earned him a seventh Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro honor.
Driving Style and Strengths
Baker is widely regarded for his football intelligence, tackling reliability, and coverage instincts. He excels as a run-support safety and has demonstrated a knack for creating turnovers, particularly in 2020 and 2021 when he combined for five interceptions. His partnership with Jalen Thompson has provided the Cardinals with one of the more consistent safety tandems in the NFC.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Baker’s most memorable moments is his 90-yard interception return against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks in 2020, which fell just short of a touchdown. He also became the highest-paid safety in NFL history with his 2020 contract extension, and he tied a career high with 18 combined tackles against Seattle in December 2024.
Budda Baker Career Wins
Budda Baker’s career has been defined by individual accolades and consistent on-field production rather than team championships. He has earned eight Pro Bowl selections (2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) and four All-Pro honors, including two first-team selections. Baker led the NFL in solo tackles in 2019 and finished second in combined tackles in 2024.
All-Pro and Pro Bowl Highlights
Baker’s first Pro Bowl came as a rookie in 2017, when he was also named first-team All-Pro and to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He added first-team All-Pro honors again in 2020 and second-team All-Pro nods in 2021 and 2024. His eight total Pro Bowl selections tie him for the most by any Arizona Cardinals player in franchise history.
Other Performances
At the collegiate level, Baker was a consensus All-American in 2016 and a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection. He was also named the Seattle Times High School Athlete of the Year during his senior season at Bellevue High School, foreshadowing his future professional success.
Budda Baker Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Baker’s mother started calling him Budda as a baby because she thought he looked like a Buddha doll, and the nickname has stayed with him throughout his life and career. His older brother, Robert, tragically died in 2018 after being shot in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle.
Personal Life
Baker grew up in Bellevue, Washington, and developed into a lifelong Seattle Seahawks fan before joining the Cardinals. Details about his current residence and marital status are not publicly verified.
2025 Season Performance
Baker enters the 2025 NFL season firmly entrenched as the Arizona Cardinals’ starting strong safety, continuing his long-standing partnership with Jalen Thompson. Signed through 2027, he remains a foundational piece of head coach Jonathan Gannon’s defense and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ scheme. His career-high 164 tackles in 2024 underscored his continued durability and production at the position.
Looking ahead to 2025, Baker will be chasing another Pro Bowl selection, which would extend his streak and further cement his legacy as one of the Cardinals’ all-time greats. His consistent tackling and coverage ability make him a central figure in Arizona’s defensive game plan each week. With a contract that reflects his value, Baker has the security and motivation to keep performing at an elite level.
Should Baker maintain his current pace, he could climb further up the franchise’s all-time tackles and interception lists. His leadership in the secondary also remains vital for the development of younger defensive backs on the Cardinals roster.