49ers could go all-in with surprise blockbuster trade for six-time Pro Bowler

The San Francisco 49ers know this season is their last, best opportunity.

After a heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, the 49ers are back among the favorites to win the NFC and head back to the big one, which will take place this season in New Orleans.

The 49ers have one of the most talented rosters in football, but much of that is enabled by 24-year-old quarterback Brock Purdy's puny $1 million salary. Heading into the 2025 season, the 49ers will almost certainly have to offer Purdy a lucrative extension.

With quarterback salaries ballooning over $50 million, the 49ers' favorable cap situation this year will soon take a big hit. They have $57 million left to play with in 2024, per Spotrac, and they would be wise to use it on a blockbuster trade.

One player the 49ers could pilfer to improve their Super Bowl odds would be Arizona Cardinals All-Pro safety Budda Baker. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox listed Baker as the third-best player on his Wednesday NFL trade "big board."

"Arizona might look to extend Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker, who requested a trade last offseason but ultimately agreed to a pay bump instead," Knox said. "If the Cardinals' season starts to go south, however, they could likely get a massive return for Baker."

A six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Baker is one of the very best safeties in the league, and is still only 28 years old. He's racked up an incredible 254 total points saved in his seven-year career, per Sports Info Solutions .

The 49ers have the world-class Talanoa Hufanga locking down the strong safety spot, but the free safety position is manned by second-year man Ji'Ayir Brown, their third-round pick in 2023. Brown has looked good in his 16 career games, but he's no Baker.

With a $19 million cap hit in 2024 before he hits free agency, Baker would fit under the 49ers' cap situation without issue. The question is whether the Cardinals will be bad enough to consider moving him to a division rival.

If so, the 49ers should happily pay the price to get Baker in red and gold. Giving up draft capital is tough, but missing out on the best possible chance you'll have to win a Super Bowl is a lot tougher.

More NFL: 49ers injured superstar a 'long shot' to play in Week 2, per insider