Kawaan Baker

BIOGRAPHY

Kawaan LaAndrae Baker was born in East Point, Georgia on August 24, 1998 to Larry and Crystal Upshaw. Known as an American professional football player, Baker’s role as a Free Agent in the NFL is one that has taken him across the country, playing for multiple teams throughout his career. Yet this journey began with football roots in college, leading him to a professional career he had always hoped to secure.

In the course of his college years, Baker made a name for himself in the competitive world of college football. He played for South Alabama, honing his skills and developing his prowess on the field. His exceptional plays and football acumen did not go unnoticed. It, in fact, caught the attention of pro football scouts. As a result, Baker was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. This marked the start of his professional career, a seventh-round pick, but nonetheless, a step into the professional football arena.

On June 8, 2021, Baker signed his first four-year rookie contract with the Saints. However, his journey at New Orleans Saints came to a brief pause when he was waived on August 31, 2021. Not too long after, he was re-signed to the Saints’ practice squad, and he then signed a reserve/future contract on January 11, 2022. This trajectory took an unexpected turn as on August 2, 2022, Baker was suspended for the first six games of the regular season. Consequent to the suspension, he was waived on October 17.

The career turn of events led Baker to the Green Bay Packers. On October 19, 2022, he signed to the team’s practice squad. But his tenure at Green Bay lasted only a few weeks before he was released on November 8. A new opportunity awaited him as on November 30, 2022, Baker was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. However, his stint with the Eagles was shorter than anticipated as he was released on December 6.

A familiar path was before Baker as he once again returned to the New Orleans Saints. Signed to their practice squad on December 27, 2022, he became a signed entity of the team when he secured a reserve/future contract on January 26, 2023. Much to Baker’s chagrin, he was waived again on August 29, 2023.

The highs and lows of a professional football career were very evident for Kawaan Baker, particularly in his evolving team engagements. Yet, his determination to remain within the NFL landscape remained unwaivered. It was this persistence which led him to a contract signing with the New England Patriots on February 6, 2024. The ensuing journey saw a repeat pattern as Baker was waived again on August 26. Having experienced numerous transitions in his professional career, Baker’s pursuit of an established position in the NFL undeniably portrays his resilience and persistence in a highly competitive field.