The idea of having Minkah Fitzpatrick and Budda Baker as the Steelers safety duo is intriguing to say the least. As reported by Ian Rappaport on Friday, Baker requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals.
After a recent report by Albert Breer, Baker’s trade price could be as low as a second or third round pick due to him demanding of a new contract that would make him the league’s highest paid safety.
Baker is to earn $16.8 million in 2023 and $17.9 million in 2024 which could be a problem for the Steelers.
The Steelers made Fitzpatrick the league’s second highest paid safety and may not want to have two of the top three contracts at a single position group.
The Steelers also seemed to finalize the safety room for the 2023 season already as the team re-signed Damonte Kazee and added former first-round pick Keanu Neal to the team in recent weeks.
Kazee split the snaps with former Steeler, Terrell Edmunds last season.
Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports listed Pittsburgh as one of the top-five landing spots for the 27-year-old All-Pro.
“The Steelers just lost starting strong safety Terrell Edmunds, who signed with the Eagles in free agency. With Baker in tow, the Steelers would have easily the best safety duo in the NFL with Baker and Minkah Fitzpatrick. The move would also allow Patrick Peterson to stay at cornerback instead of switching to free safety,” wrote DeArdo.
According to Over the Cap, the Steelers only have about $9.6 million left in cap space for 2023 and that comes before having to pay the team’s rookies that will be drafted.
While the Steelers may not find a better time to make a splash move since Kenny Pickett is on a team-friendly, rookie deal, a move of this caliber may still be out of reach due to the team’s cap situation. If the Steelers were to trade for Baker, Pittsburgh would be the home of the league’s best (and most expensive) safety tandem for years to come.