Titans CB Darrell Baker Jr. Heads to Restricted Free Agency

The 27-year-old cornerback has started 19 games for Tennessee over the past three seasons.

Feb. 28, 2026 at 11:39am

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Tennessee Titans cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason. Baker Jr. originally signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has spent the last three seasons with the Titans, starting 19 of the 34 games he's played for the team. Last season, he recorded a career-high seven passes defended.

Why it matters

Baker Jr.'s upcoming free agency is an important financial decision for the Titans, as they will have the opportunity to match any offer sheet he signs with another team through the right of first refusal tender. This gives the Titans the chance to retain a key piece of their secondary at a potentially higher salary.

The details

Baker Jr. signed a three-year, $2.58 million contract with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He spent most of his rookie season on the Colts' practice squad before signing a two-year, $1.57 million deal with Indianapolis in 2024 as an exclusive rights free agent. The Titans then signed him to a one-year, $1.1 million contract in 2025. The right of first refusal tender for Baker Jr. is set at $3.26 million, giving the Titans the ability to match any offer he receives in free agency.

  • Baker Jr. signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
  • He spent his first two NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts from 2022-2023.
  • Baker Jr. signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2024.
  • Last season, he recorded a career-high seven passes defended for the Titans.
  • Baker Jr. is set to become a restricted free agent in the 2026 offseason.

The players

Darrell Baker Jr.

A 27-year-old cornerback who has spent the last three seasons with the Tennessee Titans, starting 19 of the 34 games he's played for the team.

Tennessee Titans

The NFL team that Darrell Baker Jr. has played for over the past three seasons and holds the right of first refusal on his upcoming restricted free agency.

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What’s next

The Titans will have the opportunity to exercise their right of first refusal tender on Darrell Baker Jr., allowing them to match any offer sheet he signs with another team in free agency.

The takeaway

Darrell Baker Jr.'s upcoming restricted free agency is an important decision for the Titans, as they look to retain a key piece of their secondary at potentially a higher salary than he's earned in his first three NFL seasons.