Overview
- On Sunday, June 14, 2026, Sports Illustrated writer Jacob Punturi publicly urged the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade for Arizona safety Budda Baker and multiple outlets amplified the pitch that day.
- Baker is an eight‑time Pro Bowl, multi‑All‑Pro defender with career totals that include more than 1,000 combined tackles and he posted 120 tackles in 2025 for the Cardinals.
- Coverage notes the Steelers finished 2025 with one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses, allowing about 243.9 passing yards per game, and analysts say a roaming free safety would let DeShon Elliott play a more aggressive strong‑safety role.
- Practical hurdles include Baker’s age (entering 30 for 2026), reported cap hits of roughly $19 million in 2026 and $20 million in 2027, and uncertainty over whether the Cardinals would trade a long‑time defensive cornerstone.
- If pursued, the move would immediately change Pittsburgh’s roster and cap planning and observers say the key signs to watch are whether Arizona engages in trade talks and what draft capital the teams would seek.