It’s a bad offseason so far for New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker. The corner was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List when a warrant was made for his arrest, due to accusations of armed robbery. For a while, everyone wondered whether the case would be dismissed. That seemed to be what Baker’s legal team thought would happen.
However, that prediction was off as Baker was charged with four counts of robbery, while Quinton Dunbar escaped without charges. Dunbar is being removed from the exempt list and presumably will play. It’s hard to say the same thing about Baker and his chances of playing this season.
The legal case will continue, and Baker has the chance of being sentenced to life. Granted, it’s unlikely that a life sentence would actually be handed down for a robbery at a party where no one was hurt, but the fact that it’s an option shows the hot water that Baker is in right now.
Baker will remain on the Commissioner’s Exempt List
While Baker was previously appealing the decision to place him on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, him and his team have withdrawn that appeal according to Ralph Vacchiano.
DeAndre Baker has withdrawn his appeal of the NFL's decision to place him on the Commissioner's exempt list, according to his attorney. … With charges now filed against him, being on paid leave is probably the safest place for him to be in the NFL at the moment.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 7, 2020
Since the Exempt List is basically paid leave, Baker apparently considers it a better option than going off the list but not being able to play this season. And based on his situation, it looks like he might just have to sit out this season while the legal proceedings happen. That’s whether he’s innocent or guilty, but Baker’s innocence is a bit harder to argue for after he was charged and not Dunbar.
Apparently, prosecutors believe they have more of a case against Baker than they do against Dunbar. With that being said, the public still doesn’t know what evidence they have or don’t have, so it’s hard to make predictions.
The Giants will just have to prepare to play the season without their number two cornerback, a major blow thanks to their thin depth at the position. It’s also, however, a chance for another player to step up in Baker’s place.