Budda Baker’s Halloween mask wasn’t the only horror facing the Cardinals this week.
The Cardinals safety donned a creepy black-and-white clown mask during media availability on Friday, continuing an annual tradition of impressive costumes in October.
But seasonal hijinks couldn’t help Baker escape the question looming over his future with Arizona poised to sell at the deadline.
When asked about how he handles trade rumors, Baker took on a serious demeanor behind the absurd look.
“I just live in the present, like today having a great time with you guys,” Baker said, slightly muffled by the mask. “Going to go out and have a great Friday practice, and just focus on playing against the Dallas Cowboys and trying to get a ‘W’ at their stadium.”
Friday wasn’t all serious business for Baker, who also fielded questions about his favorite Halloween candy (anything fruity), his thoughts on candy corn (negative) and the candy he gives out (full-sized bars).
Baker, an eight-time Pro Bowler in his 10th season with the Cardinals, is one of the hottest names ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
Arizona already traded wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Texans earlier this month, and more could be coming with the team sitting 2-5 in total rebuild mode.
On Wednesday, Baker told ESPN that he has not requested a trade, but he hasn’t requested not to be traded earlier. Though he hasn’t had conversations with general manager Monti Ossenfort, he knows trade rumors are just a fact of the business.
“I’m here. I want to win. I want to be here,” Baker told the outlet. “I’m just controlling what I can control, just taking it one week at a time, and hopefully when the deadline ends, I’ll still be here. If not, I mean, it’s a business. I understand at the end of the day and that’s it.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also reported that Baker would garner strong interest, though it’s not a sure thing that he will be traded. The safety noted that he’s been attached to trade rumors for “like five, six years now.”
Entering Week 8 against the Cowboys, Baker already has one interception, a career-high 3.5 sacks and 44 combined tackles (25 solo).
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
