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Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker could be suiting up for a new team after the NFL trade deadline, but he wore a different outfit than usual to speak to reporters ahead of Halloween.
The Cardinals have endured a difficult season so far. Aside from a stunning upset win over the Los Angeles Rams, Arizona has struggled to get going and now finds itself at the foot of the NFC West.
As a result of their struggles, star Cardinals veterans are being linked to moves away from the franchise ahead of the November 10 NFL trade deadline. One of these is Baker, an eight-time Pro Bowl safety.
Baker addressed speculation over his future when he spoke to reporters on Friday. But in footage that has since gone viral, the 30-year-old spoke about potentially departing the only pro team he has ever played for while dressed in full Halloween costume.
“I know you talked about this a little bit earlier in the week, but obviously, as we near the trade deadline, your name seems to be a name that pops up here and there on speculation. How do you look at that? How do you think about all that stuff?” asked the reporter.
Baker - while wearing a horror face mask - replied: “Yeah, just live in the present. You know, like today, having a great time with you guys. Gonna have a great Friday practice, and just focus on playing against the Dallas Cowboys and trying to get a W at their stadium.”
Baker is in the second year of the three-year, $54 million contract he signed in December 2024. He is scheduled to earn $16.17 million this season.
Baker is still preparing to be out on the field as the Cardinals take on the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. He has totaled 44 tackles, an interception, four pass breakups, and a career-best 3.5 sacks this season.
Earlier in the week, Baker told ESPN that he had not requested a trade, nor had he had any discussions with Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort about his future. he said: “My approach is I'm here. I’m here. I want to win. I want to be here.
“And I'm just controlling what I can control, just taking it one week at a time, and hopefully when the deadline ends, I'll still be here. If not, I mean, it's a business. I understand at the end of the day and that's it.”
He added: “It's a deadline for a reason. Teams are trying to get players, and our team might be trying to get players and getting other players. So, at the end of the day, it's a business. So, for me, it's just continue to play great football. I feel like I'm playing great football right now and just control what I can control.”
The 2-5 Cardinals face the 3-4 Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 1.