He played college football at Michigan State from 1998 to 2001. He finished with 133 catches for 1,705 yards and 13 touchdowns[1] including a career best season as a Senior with 40 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns.
Baker was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round (88th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft.[3] During the 2005 season, he served as the starting tight end until becoming injured and placed on the injured reserve list. Baker had a breakout season in 2006, setting career bests in receiving yards, receptions, touchdowns and starts, as the Jets finished 10-6 earning the fifth wild card spot. After a career year in 2007, Chris said the Jets promised him a new contract and lied.[4]
Baker felt disrespected with the Jets decision to use their first-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft on Dustin Keller and their acquisition of free agent Bubba Franks, which pushed Baker to third on the depth chart and made him the least-paid Jets tight end, despite his productive past two seasons.[5][6] The Jets finally extended Baker with a three-year, $12.2 million contract extension through 2012, but it came with an out-clause stating the Jets would owe him nothing if he was cut from the team before March 5, 2009.[7]
On February 20, 2009, Baker was released by the Jets.[8]
New England Patriots
On February 27, 2009, Baker signed a five-year contract with the New England Patriots.[9] On September 27, 2009, Baker caught Tom Brady's 200th career touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the Patriots and Falcons game.[10] Baker played in all 16 games for the 2009 season.
On March 4, 2010, Baker was released by the Patriots.[11]
Seattle Seahawks
On March 13, 2010, Baker signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks, primarily to serve as a blocking tight end.[12] On January 4, 2011, Baker was placed on a season-ending injured reserve due to a fractured bone in his hip, four days before Seattle's playoff game against the New Orleans Saints.[13][14] Baker played in all 16 games for the 2010 season and caught nine passes for 116 yards and a touchdown.
On February 24, 2011, Baker was released by the Seahawks.[15]
In May 2009 Chris married his girlfriend, Yadira Taveras, in Long Island, New York. Together, they have a son, Chris Jr, and daughter Tamia. They reside near Boca Raton, Florida.
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