Budda Baker kept his Halloween tradition alive this week. The Arizona Cardinals safety spoke to reporters on Friday in a hood and a grinning black-and-white mask, and that is how he answered questions about his future with the 2-5 team, nine days before the November 10 trade deadline.
Asked how he looks at his name coming up in trade talk, Baker said: “I just live in the present, like today, having a great time with you guys, and gonna have a great Friday practice, and just focus on playing against the Dallas Cowboys and trying to get a W at their stadium.”
No trade request, no request to stay
Earlier in the week, Baker told Josh Weinfuss that he has not asked for a trade, but he has not asked the Cardinals to keep him either. He is 30, in his 10th season with Arizona and under contract through 2027. A two-time All-Pro, he has been picked for the Pro Bowl eight times, including each of the last seven seasons.
He is still producing. Baker has 44 tackles, a career-high 3.5 sacks, one interception and four passes defended in seven games this season. The Cardinals have lost four of their last five games, so teams looking for help at safety could call before the deadline.
“I like putting fear into people”
Baker explained why he dresses up every year. “Growing up, I was one of those guys that hide around my neighborhood and just scare people,” he said. “I never really went trick-or-treating. I would just scare people.” Asked why he did not trick-or-treat, he said: “Because I like putting fear into people more than eating candy.”
He also answered the important questions. His favorite Halloween candy? “I’m more like a fruity, fruity candy type of guy. So, you know, Skittles, Starburst, stuff like that.” The one he does not like is candy corn. And at his house, the kids get full-size bars. “I never really get many kids come to the house anyway,” he said.
Back to “Jerry’s world”
The Cardinals won 27-17 at AT&T Stadium last season, on a Monday night in November 2025. Baker said Arizona always enjoys the trip. “There’s nothing like being in Jerry’s world. You know, that stadium’s always live and always rocking, always have a good time there,” he said. But he does not think last year matters much now. “It’s a whole new year,” he said. “Everyone has their game plans, and we’re going to play the game and see what happens.”
The 2-5 Cardinals play the 3-4 Cowboys on Sunday, November 1, at 1:00 p.m. ET, which is 8:00 p.m. in Cairo.
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