The NFL trade deadline came and passed on Tuesday without the Arizona Cardinals making any other moves than the ones they completed earlier. Safety Budda Baker was a player of interest and came up in rumors and speculation.
There was interest and also an offer.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Bills "made a play for Baker with what one source considered a compelling package." According to PHNX Sports' Johnny Venerable, the Bills offered "a quality" Day 2 pick, and he heard it was a second-rounder.
However, per Fowler, "Arizona did not want to trade him because he's viewed as the heart and soul of the team."
The Bills ultimately made a deal for Amani Hooker, making a deal with the Tennessee Titans. That deal was in the works for a while. One
might say the Bills did better by getting Hooker, who is younger, is paid less and is under contract longer.
Baker is the heart and the soul of at least the defense. This is his 10th NFL season.
Now, it isn't the end of the world because Baker could still be dealt in the offseason if that is the best thing for the team.
But if they weren't willing to trade him now, will they be willing to do so later?
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL trade deadline: Buffalo Bills offered 'compelling package' for Budda Baker
