The Arizona Cardinals released a veteran safety Tuesday amid heavy rumors the team was in the market for a Budda Baker trade before the Oct. 31 deadline.
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The Cardinals three-time All-Pro safety requested a trade before reporting to training camp. He returned this season but was placed on injured reserve after Week 2. Baker was activated before the Cardinals’ Week 7 contest against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Cardinals at 1-6 should be sellers at the trade deadline, and they should have explored trading Baker. However, the Cardinals made a move Tuesday that indicates Baker is likely going to stay with Arizona.
The Arizona Cardinals release a veteran safety
According to Tom Pelissero with the NFL Network, the Cardinals released veteran safety K’Von Wallace.
The #Cardinals released veteran safety K'Von Wallace.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 24, 2023
First-year Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was familiar with Wallace, as the Philadelphia Eagles drafted him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Cardinals claimed Wallace off waivers in August. Wallace was Baker’s replacement while Baker was on injured reserve.
Per Pro Football Focus, Wallace earned a 57.3 overall grade for his play this season.
The Cardinals could bring back Wallace to the practice squad if he clears waivers. But the Cardinals choosing to release the veteran safety appears to have been made with the plan to keep Baker on the roster through the trade deadline.
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