​The offseason saga surrounding the Arizona Cardinals has largely centered on the ongoing contract dispute with Jacoby Brissett. Projected to be the team’s starting quarterback, Brissett is set to earn roughly $4.9 million this season, with only $1.5 million guaranteed, and he is reportedly seeking compensation that reflects a starter’s pay. That stance has prompted outspoken reactions from some members of the Cardinals, including safety Budda Baker, who appears to be backing Brissett or another teammate involved in the contract talks.
Baker took to social media with a pointed message that seemed to voice support for Brissett, or at least for the broader argument in the negotiations. He wrote: “Just want bro to get his (expletive) done… he is not asking for what you think. Bro is asking for below the bare minimum. Let’s just get it done!!!” If Baker’s post is indeed referring to Brissett, the claim that the QB’s demands are “below the bare minimum” adds another layer to a dispute that has already seen the two sides far apart in talks.
As of the latest updates, the Cardinals and Brissett were reportedly far from a reconciliation, with negotiations described as significantly separated. Brissett appears to be pursuing a multiyear deal that would align his compensation with that of other league starting quarterbacks, a tier typically above $19 million annually. In addition, the structure of his deal—where only $1.5 million of his salary is guaranteed—could be a point of contention. Some veterans with sufficient tenure can have full salary guarantees if they are on the active roster for Week 1, which may or may not influence Brissett’s negotiating strategy.
The Cardinals are set to report to training camp on July 22, and there is keen interest in whether a deal can be reached before then. Fans and observers will be watching closely to see if the team and Brissett can bridge the gap and reach an agreement that satisfies both sides ahead of camp.
For more Cardinals and broader NFL coverage, Cards Wire’s team, including Jess Root, will have updates and analysis on the Rise Up, See Red podcast—available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. This article was originally published on Cards Wire under the headline focusing on Budda Baker’s prominent statement about a teammate in the ongoing contract discussion.