The DC Defenders get a much-needed upgrade in the secondary as they are bringing back one of the team's best cornerbacks over the last two years.
According to the UFL Communication Department X page, the Defenders have signed cornerback Deandre Baker to the training camp roster. Baker has played the last two seasons for the Defenders and will be making his third appearance in spring football.
Over the last two years in DC, Baker has racked up 44 tackles, 13 pass deflections, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 18 games. He has been named to the All-UFL Team in back-to-back seasons.
Baker was previously a first-round pick of the New York Giants, who selected him 30th overall in 2019. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs with his NFL career running from 2019 through 2021.
DC Defenders have Deandre Baker back on the 2026 roster
This is a game-changing addition to the defense as the secondary is already looking like the best in the UFL. The Defenders now have Baker joining Kiondre Thomas, Gareon Conley, and Bryce Thompson in the same unit.
Baker had a great 2025 season with two interceptions, but his play isn't solely about creating turnovers. He is the true definition of a shutdown corner that should be judged more on the number of receptions and yards he allows versus the interceptions. His 10 pass deflections in 2025 were among the highest in the UFL.
If Defenders head coach Shannon Harris thought he had some tough decisions to make before in the secondary, it just got tougher. The UFL is mere days away from its roster cutdown on Thursday, but Baker feels as though he should be able to make the final roster based on his resume.
There is a real possibility that among Thomas, Conley, and Thompson, one of them will end up getting cut or losing playing time with Baker in the picture. That's a tough situation for the players, but the Defenders have a major problem on defense to deal with, thanks to Baker's return to the UFL in 2026.