Why A Trade For Arizona Cardinals' Star Safety, Budda Baker, Does Not Make Sense For The Steelers Leading Up To The 2023 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a new starting safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2023. As of now, the two most likely candidates are either Damontae Kazee or Keanu Neal. Furthermore, the team may still address the safety position during the 2023 NFL Draft. One player Steelers' fans should not get their hopes up of playing for the black and gold in 2023 is All-Pro defensive back, Budda Baker, who recently requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals. While the idea of having two Pro Bowl-quality safeties is intriguing, a trade for Baker simply does not make sense for the Steelers. 

Baker is only the latest example of a completely disastrous offseason for the Cardinals. With their quarterback, Kyler Murray, recovering from an ACL tear and star receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, also waning out of Arizona, the team is far from contending in an immensely competitive NFC. Would this motivate the team to trade Baker to an AFC team such as the Steelers? 

Certainly plausible, but Omar Khan and the Steelers' front office would be wise to stay far away. This has nothing to do with the level of play from Baker, as he is one of the most dynamic defensive backs in the entire NFL, but rather due to the sizable amount of money he is owed in 2023 as well as the amount of capital the team would have to fork over to land his services. 

Baker is scheduled to make $13.1 million in 2023 and $14.2 million in 2024. However, these numbers are expected to rise, as Baker has indicated his intentions of becoming the highest-paid safety in the NFL. Currently, Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers tops the list with an average annual salary of $19 million. Second on the list is Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick, who comes in at slightly over $18 million a year. 

The Steelers Should Be Confident In Their Safety Depth 

While both Kazee and Neal are far from the type of player Baker is, they are more than capable of playing starter-quality football for the Steelers in 2023. Collectively, the duo complements each other's style of play well, as Kazee plays more of the traditional two-high safety look and possesses tremendous ball skills, while Neal is more of an in-the-box type of player who is strong against the run. 

The Steelers also already have the luxury of having one of the most talented safeties in the entire league in Fitzpatrick. The argument can certainly be made that Fitzpatrick is the most complete safety in the NFL. His strong play in 2022 cemented himself as one of the cornerstones of the Steelers' defense for the next decade plus. 

The Steelers' Defense Does Not Need Budda Baker To Win

Budda Baker would fit in with the Steelers' defense seamlessly. His aggressive style of play combined with his leadership ability make him one of the best players in the NFL. However, he will unfortunately not be playing in Pittsburgh in 2023. His contract demands of making upwards of $20 million a year is simply too much of an ask for Omar Khan to pull off. Furthermore, the team would most likely have to give up multiple early-round picks for a trade to go down. 

The Steelers' defense played well in 2022 and is poised to perform even better next season. With a healthy TJ Watt and the additions of players such as Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, and Patrick Peterson, the group has all the potential to be one of the most elite units in the entire NFL. While the addition of Baker would create one of the most dangerous secondaries of all time, it just does not make sense for the organization to sacrifice so much for a single player. Let's just all hope and pray that Baker does not end up landing in the AFC North. 

Thoughts, Steeler Nation? 

Do yinz think there is any possibility of Omar Khan pulling off a trade for Baker? How confident are you with Kazee and Neal heading in to 2023? Would you like the team to add a safety in the 2023 NFL Draft? Leave a comment! 

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