Here’s something New York Giants fans don’t want to hear: the Arizona Cardinals just extended Budda Baker, keeping their defensive cornerstone locked in through 2027.
Meanwhile, in New York, the G-Men are still reeling from the disastrous decision to let Xavier McKinney walk in free agency last offseason.
McKinney, now thriving with the Green Bay Packers, has been an outright game-changer in Green Bay. Seven interceptions, excellent tackling, and leadership have all helped the Packers to a 10-4 record and a strong playoff position. Meanwhile, the Giants' defense—specifically the secondary—has been a hot mess. Watching McKinney ball out while the Giants are stuck at 2-12 stings more with every passing week.
Cardinals All-Pro S Budda Baker has reached agreement on a three-year, $54 million contract extension, including $30M guaranteed. The $18M APY deal is the largest third contract for a safety in NFL history. The contract was negotiated by David Mulugheta of Athletes First. pic.twitter.com/7oSB992M4V
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 18, 2024
The Arizona Cardinals saw what happens when you let a talent like that leave the building, and they weren’t about to repeat the same mistake. Adam Schefter reported Baker has reached an extension in the desert.
By signing Baker to a three-year, $54 million extension, Arizona ensured their defense remains anchored by one of the best safeties in the game. They learned from what New York failed to do.
Joe Schoen’s failure to keep Xavier McKinney is haunting the NY Giants
Let’s talk about McKinney for a second. He was a defensive captain, logged 100% of the team’s defensive snaps, and consistently played at a Pro Bowl level. And the Giants let him go to Green Bay for a four-year, $68 million contract. That’s a bargain for a guy who’s tied for the league lead in interceptions with Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph.
Now, let’s compare that to what Arizona did. Budda Baker’s extension—worth $54 million over three years—is a little pricier annually, but it’s a move that screams competence. Baker has led all defensive backs in tackles since 2017 and has five 100-tackle seasons to his name.
Letting a guy like that hit free agency would’ve been football malpractice. Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort didn’t hesitate to get the deal done.
The Giants, on the other hand, let McKinney walk for nothing. And what has that decision cost them? A leaky secondary, two defensive interceptions as a team, and another season where the defense stinks. Let’s not forget McKinney’s impact in Green Bay, where he’s helping a legitimate playoff team while Big Blue searches for answers.
The Giants' decision to let McKinney walk left their defense without a reliable leader in the secondary. Safeties like McKinney or Baker make plays, hold the unit together, and provide the consistency every successful defense needs. They’re the glue, the playmaker, the quarterback of the secondary.
Ossenfort understood that, and now the Cards have Baker locked up for the long haul. The Giants, meanwhile, are stuck watching McKinney shine for someone else while their own defense crumbles.
Joe Schoen better learn from this blunder quickly because if the Giants want to rebuild into something respectable, they can’t keep letting cornerstone players walk out the door. Hopefully, McKinney’s Green Bay success—and Baker’s Arizona loyalty—are lessons the front office takes to heart. Because Giants fans can’t handle much more of this misery.