Cornerback Deandre Baker, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs, has hired new representation as he seeks a potential return to the NFL, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero on August 21.
Baker, 26, entered the NFL as a first-round pick — 30th overall — of the New York Giants in 2019. After an underwhelming rookie season, Baker was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list and then was released by the Giants after he was charged with four counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm after police say he took jewelry and cash at gunpoint during a dice game in Miramar, Florida, in May 2020. However, all of the charges against Baker were dropped in November 2020.
The Chiefs signed Baker to their practice squad on November 19, 2020. He was active for two regular season games and two playoff games during the 2020 season. Baker participated in the team’s offseason program in 2021 and battled for a roster spot during 2021 training camp but was released on August 7.
Baker played for the DC Defenders during the UFL’s inaugural season this spring. His efforts on the field were good enough to earn him All-UFL honors for the 2024 season.
Andy Reid: Chiefs Might Settle for Committee at CB2
Through two preseason games, the Chiefs have yet to determine who their clear-cut second starting cornerback is.
Third-year CB Trent McDuffie is expected to mainly play outside but will likely slide into the slot in nickel packages. Third-year CB Joshua Williams is also capable of starting outside and is the front-runner right now for the job thanks to his health.
Jaylen Watson was the frontrunner for the CB2 role heading into training camp but hasn’t played in the preseason as he continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery. 2022 undrafted cornerback Nazeeh Johnson — who suffered a torn ACL in July 2023 — is competing for the CB2 role as well.
Because no player has separated themself from the pack, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is expecting a committee approach at the position when the regular season begins.
“Well, we’ve got some guys that can play. We needed to see Jaylen [Watson] get out there and if he can play then play and then see where he’s at,” Reid said during his August 19 press conference. “Some of those other guys have grown and shown some good stuff. We’ll just see. We’ll see how it goes. [It] might be a committee over there, but it’s – there is some talent there.”
Big Red also gave some praise for Johnson based on his performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 2 of the preseason.
“I actually thought he did a pretty good job. He did a pretty good job,” Reid said of Johnson. “I mean, he’s a little bit sore coming out of it, but I thought he played well. His man coverage stuff, I thought, was good.”
Chiefs Face Bears in Preseason Finale
Kansas City’s preseason finale will be against the Chicago Bears. The game will be played on Thursday, August 22 at 7:20 p.m. Central time and will be available to watch on NFL Network.
