The Chicago Bears could very well find themselves looking for a new starting safety in 2026.
That’s because both of their starters at the position, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, are pending free agents and aren’t guaranteed to be back.
With that in mind, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine proposes a trade between the Bears and Arizona Cardinals that would send safety Budda Baker to Chicago.
Here’s Ballentine’s exact proposal and thoughts on it:
- Bears Receive: S Budda Baker
- Cardinals Receive: 2026 third-round pick (No. 89), 2027 fourth-round pick
An eight-time Pro Bowler, Baker has cemented himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL during his career.
In 2025, Baker ranked fifth in pass-rush grade (83.8) and 23rd in run-defense grade, per Pro Football Focus. He did struggle in coverage with a 35.7 grade, but that is an outlier for Baker, who has always posted a grade north of 60 during his career.
Despite his talent, it’s conceivable the Cardinals could part ways with Baker in 2026. After all, the Cardinals are rebuilding and it stands to reason Arizona might not have the 30-year-old as part of their plans and draft capital is gold.
The problem with this proposal is Baker’s contract. He carries a base salary of $14.4 million in 2026 and that’s a price the cap-strapped Bears might balk at paying, especially if significant draft capital is required to pull off the trade.
If so, Arizona would have to pick up some of Baker’s contract or lessen its asking price by a good amount. The good news is, if Baker doesn’t pan out, he can be cut in 2027 with minimal pain.
With the Bears taking a huge step forward in 2025 and now trying to get over the hump to a Super Bowl in 2026, and with Byard and Brisker not guaranteed to return, we could see Chicago making this trade.
