​The Carolina Panthers have radically improved their defense from 2024, when they literally allowed the most points in NFL history.Their defensive front seven, in particular, has glowed up—especially with this offseason’s additions of Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd and rising pass rusher Jaelan Phillips. Recent Day 2 draft picks in defensive lineman Lee Hunter and outside linebackers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen have also brightened the outlook for the unit.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEven still, a few holes remain.One of their weaknesses is at free safety, where veteran Nick Scott is projected to start across from Tre’von Moehrig. If the Panthers are to upgrade that spot, then perhaps they should inquire on Arizona Cardinals star Budda Baker—who’s been named as a potential trade candidate for 2026 by Bleacher Report.Analyst Gary Davenport writes:As Dan Bickley reported for Arizona Sports, Baker took to social media recently to express his displeasure over the contract impasse between the team and quarterback Jacoby Brissett—and he’s not the only player to publicly suggest the Cardinals are lowballing players… He has been playing in the desert since 2017 and has appeared in exactly one postseason game—a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.Acquiring Baker would not only turn one of the Panthers’ biggest roster weaknesses into a strength, but it may also give them the best safety they’ve ever had.Since entering the NFL as a second-round pick back in 2017, Baker has made eight Pro Bowl teams and earned two first-team All-Pro honors. In 138 career games, Baker has racked up over 1,000 tackles, eight interceptions, 44 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, 10.0 sacks and 51 tackles for a loss—amounting to some rare all-around production.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll of his great work hasn’t amounted to much success for the Cardinals, who have made the playoffs just once since drafting Baker. If he wants to play for a winner, he’ll have to demand a trade at some point—as Arizona is back on a rebuild. And if that happens, then Panthers general manager Dan Morgan should be making that call.Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers should have 8-time Pro Bowl defender on trade radar in 2026