Budda Baker Bears
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Budda Baker signed a 3-year, $54 million extension with the Arizona Cardinals in December 2024.
The Chicago Bears were on the doorstep of an NFC Championship game appearance. Winning the NFC North and making the playoffs was a massive step forward for the franchise and exactly what they hoped for when hiring head coach Ben Johnson. Now heading into Johnson’s second season and Caleb Williams’ third following his breakout year,Super Bowl aspirations are fully on the board. However, despite their success last year and its impact on the team’s perception, Johnson made it very clear that they are starting over in 2026.
“There is no building off of this. We go back to square one,”Johnson saidin media availability following the conclusion of their season. “We are back at the bottom again and that’s really all 32 teams. If you feel otherwise, you’re probably missing the big picture.”
One of the benefits of starting over is refreshing the roster with new pieces. The Bears were so close, and with just a few roster substitutions, they could find themselves in Super Bowl LXI.
Sports Illustrated proposed a bold trade the Bears could make to address a potential area of need.
SAF Budda Baker Would Offer Chicago Bears Versatility, Says Sports Illustrated
Budda Baker Stats
GettyArizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker recorded 120 total tackles, 6.5 stuffs, 5 passes defended, and an interception in 2025.
Bryan Perez of Sports Illustrated proposed the Bears trade a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick forfour-time All-Pro safety Budda Baker.
“The Cardinals’ safety earned his seventh-straight Pro Bowl nod in 2025 after piling up 120 tackles,”Perez said. “He remains one of the most instinctive and versatile defensive backs in the NFL, as he’s comfortable playing deep in pass coverage, in the box against the run, or blitzing off the edge.”
While the Bears could certainly attempt to run it back with Kevin Byard and Jaquan Briker at safety, both players have their question marks.
“Kevin Byard is coming off an All-Pro year, but he’ll be 32 entering 2026 and is set to hit free agency. Jaquan Brisker is also due for a new contract and has completed a full season just once in four years.”
Perez outlines how Baker perfectly fits within defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s scheme, which relies on playmaking safeties. He slots Baker as a potential upgrade if the Bears were to lose Byard, Brisker, or both players tofree agency.
While Baker is 30 years old and presents a hefty $19 millioncap hitin 2026, this is the time for general manager Ryan Poles to be aggressive in free agency. Caleb Wiliams becomes eligible for an extension next season. The Bears should look to capitalize on the space his rookie contract provides before inevitably paying the quarterback contract toll.
DE Maxx Crosby Trade Rumors Swirl After Caleb Williams Podcast Appearance
Baker isn’t the only All-Pro defender the Bears could be looking at. Variousnews sources have pitched the Bears landing defensive end Maxx Crosby in a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders.
These rumors were only fueled when Caleb Williams appeared on Crosby’sThe Rush Podcast.
Within the interview, Crosby expresses his admiration and respect for Williams as a player.
“Just to be open and honest, bro, like we talked about earlier, but respect at a different level, bro. You’re one of those guys for sure and you’re just getting started. I don’t even know you understand yet how good you can be and that’s the scariest part. You know what I mean? Just keep that mindset, keep doing what you’re doing and you know we’re locked in forever. So keep doing your thing, bro. You need me, hit me at any time. It goes vice versa.”
Crosby’s words would hit closer to home if the Bears were to pull off a likely blockbuster trade for him. Witnessing how beneficial defense was to the Seattle Seahawks championship run, the Bears could take a massive swing to try to close the gap between a divisional round loss and a Super Bowl win.