GLENDALE — Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker continues to put together an impressive 2024. With his nine tackles in Sunday’s dominant 31-6 win over the New York Jets, the veteran now has 100 on the year.
It marks the fifth time in Baker’s eight-year career that he’s reached or surpassed the 100-tackle mark.
“It’s cool. I just control what I can control, don’t pay attention to any of the stats and by the time it’s said and done we will see what it looks like,” Baker said postgame on the achievement. “I’m just controlling what I can control.
“It’s definitely cool to hit 100 tackles in Week 10. Have a bye Week, going to rest these shoulders. I’ll be ready, come next week.”
Baker also registered a sack and a pass defensed in the victory.
Budda Baker blitzes off the edge for the sack 😤
📺: #NYJvsAZ on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/Gyuanh88sV— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024
Entering play on Sunday, Baker was pacing all NFL defensive backs in tackles while also leading the league with 58 solo tackles.
In addition to his tackles, Baker has also registered two passes defensed and four tackles for loss this season.
The defense as a whole came to play on Sunday, limiting New York to six points in the first half while extending its home touchdown-less streak to 14 quarters.
Cardinals safety Budda Baker is looking forward to the upcoming bye week, as he’s already tallied 100 tackles in 10 games this season. pic.twitter.com/0EDJIBBJqj
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) November 11, 2024
What is Budda Baker’s best season tackles-wise?
Of Baker’s five 100-tackle seasons, 2019 reigns supreme.
Tallying 147 tackles (behind a league-leading 104 solo tackles) that year included six games of at least 11 tackles for the veteran safety on his way to a third Pro Bowl nod at the time.
He hasn’t missed a Pro Bowl since and is trending toward another given his current stretch.
“He’s one of our elite players,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said postgame. “I know everyone sees what he does on Sundays. I see what the guy does on Monday through Saturdays and like I’ve said, you can’t put a price tag on it.
“He is just a complete captain. He’s a warrior and all the things that means. I’m so glad we have him.”