The Eagles don’t have to force anything before training camp, but that doesn’t mean the front office should sit on its hands.
Philadelphia already looks built to contend around Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Zack Baun, and Jihaad Campbell. The offense has been reshaped after the A.J. Brown trade, the receiver group has more speed and variety, the pass rush got a boost with Jonathan Greenard, and Riq Woolen was added to a secondary that already has plenty of young talent.
Even with that, there are still a few spots that could use another jolt. Safety, receiver depth, offensive tackle depth, and returner all stand out. If Howie Roseman decides there’s a real chance to add another difference-maker, Philadelphia has both the urgency and the roster strength to justify it.
The boldest option is also the cleanest football fit: Budda Baker.
Baker would be the kind of move that instantly changes the conversation in the back end. The Eagles’ safety room isn’t bare, but it is still unsettled.
Andrew Mukuba is coming off his rookie season as a starter, Marcus Epps gives them a veteran option, and Michael Carter II has worked into the safety mix after playing cornerback. J.T.
Gray, Andre’ Sam, Cole Wisniewski, and Maximus Pulley are also in the mix for depth roles. A current depth chart would likely show Epps and Mukuba as the top pair heading into camp, but that doesn’t rule out a major upgrade.
Baker would be exactly that. He remains one of the league’s most respected safeties, and his range, physicality, instincts, and leadership would give Vic Fangio a proven centerpiece on the back end.
He started all 16 games he played in 2025 and led Arizona with 120 tackles, while also posting four tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception, five passes defended, and one fumble recovery. The Cardinals also note that he leads all NFL defensive backs in tackles since entering the league in 2017.
That production comes with a price. Baker signed a three-year, $54 million extension with Arizona in December 2024, and Spotrac lists his 2026 cap hit at $19.216 million. Any deal would take real financial maneuvering, and Philadelphia would have to decide whether paying that kind of money for a veteran safety makes sense when it already has young defensive backs who need reps.
The fit on the field is easy to see. Baker can play multiple spots, attack downhill against the run, handle coverage duties, and bring a veteran voice to a young secondary.
He’s not just a deep safety or a box safety - he can do both. Pairing him with Mitchell and Woolen outside, DeJean in a movable role, and Mukuba next to him would give the Eagles one of the NFC’s most versatile back sevens.
Carter II and Epps would shift into stronger depth roles instead of being leaned on every week.
The hard part is the cost. Baker’s contract runs through the 2027 season, with an average annual salary of $18 million.
Philadelphia would likely need to restructure money elsewhere or adjust parts of the roster to make it work. And then there’s the trade price itself.
Because Baker is still productive and under contract beyond 2026, the Cardinals would probably ask for meaningful draft capital - likely starting with a Day 2 pick or a package of picks, depending on how much salary Arizona is willing to absorb. A player could be involved too, if Arizona wanted a younger piece back.
That leaves the Eagles with the real question: is a 30-year-old safety worth a premium pick and a major financial commitment?
If Roseman wants a splash, Baker is the kind of move that would qualify. The football case is obvious.
The money and trade package are not. But if Philadelphia wants to turn an already deep secondary into something even more dangerous, Baker would be the headline addition that gets it done.
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