The Arizona Cardinals are in their offseason and looking ahead to 2025.
But while we are in the offseason, it is time to look back at the 2024 season and give some recognitions for player performances.
On the podcast, we discussed player awards and superlatives. Now we will put our picks in written form.
We continue with the team’s defensive player of the year for 2024.
Who was the Cardinals’ defensive player of the year? Howard Balzer and I give our picks.
Cardinals 2024 defensive player of the year
Jess Root: S Budda Baker
This is an obvious pick. While cornerback Garrett Williams was really good, he is not yet at the level of production that Baker is. Baker piled up tackles in bunches with a career-high 164, including 95 solo. He also added a pair of sacks and a career-high 10 tackles for loss.
He is the only standout player on a defense that was better than expected in 2024.
Howard Balzer: S Budda Baker
There weren’t a lot of “splash” plays, just the usual consistency and leadership displayed from down to down by Baker, who was voted to the Pro Bowl. He played 1,067 snaps, which was 98 percent and the 20 he missed were mostly at the end of games that were decided. He played every snap in 12 games.
Baker’s 164 tackles led the team as did his 95 solos and 10 for loss. The total tackles were 27 more than linebacker Kyzir White and the solos were 34 more than safety-mate Jalen Thompson, who missed two games.
Just for good measure, Baker contributed two sacks, three quarterback hits and five passes defensed. He is also one of eight finalists for the 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. The winner will be announced during the NFL Honors event on Feb. 6 during Super Bowl week.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.