ClutchPoints
The United Football League (UFL) is still new, but it’s providing a platform for players like former New York Giants cornerback Deandre Baker to market themselves for the NFL. The 27-year-old helped the UFL’s DC Defenders win their first-ever championship in June, capping off a second consecutive productive season for him.
Baker spoke to ClutchPoints about how he felt during Saturday’s title celebration in downtown Washington, D.C..
DC Defenders and former New York Giants DB Deandre Baker told me he’s “feeling like a champion” at yesterday’s celebration. He also said he’s ready if he gets another call from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/bCUADHF2w3
— Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) July 13, 2025
“I’m just feeling like a champion, man. This year had a lot of obstacles, a lot of ups and downs, but we stuck together and made it happen, and we’re champs,” the former Georgia Bulldog said. “We just came out here to enjoy the city, great fans, great atmosphere with my teammates. I’m loving it right now.”
The best way to describe Baker’s Defenders tenure is “redeeming.” The Miami native was drafted No. 30 overall by the Giants in 2019 and started 15 of 16 games as a rookie before they released him due to his armed robbery charges, which were later dropped. He then briefly played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020 before becoming only the second-ever NFL player to break his femur during a game.
Baker then played eight more contests with the Chiefs in 2021 before they waived him in August 2022. The 5-foot-11-inch, 190-pounder was out of football until the Defenders signed him in January 2024. He followed that up with two consecutive All-UFL campaigns, culminating in DC’s 58-34 championship win over the Michigan Panthers on June 14.
Baker allowed a 70.5 QBR when targeted over nine games in 2024, which ranked sixth-best in the league. He then earned a tryout with the Dallas Cowboys that summer before re-signing with the Defenders in January. After that, he totaled 27 tackles, two interceptions, and 12 pass breakups over 10 contests between the 2025 regular season and postseason. Now, he’s ready for another NFL chance.
“I’m trying to see. Just staying ready for whatever’s next, you know?” he said. “If the NFL calls, I’ll be ready.”
The eight-team UFL, a combination of the XFL and USFL spring football leagues, began play in March 2024. It’s considered a “high-level minor league,” so it helps non-NFL players accrue more reps and tape as they try to reach the highest level.
Baker explained the main difference between the two leagues.
“Probably the trenches. The d-line and o-line are a little bigger, more athletic in the league [NFL],” he said. “But skill positions, everything else is the same to me.”
That explains why most UFL players that have signed with an NFL squad this summer aren’t linemen. Here is the full list of 2025 UFL-to-NFL transactions thus far:
June 18
