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5 potential landing spots for Larry Fitzgerald in 2017

By Brad Berreman

Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Larry Fitzgerald
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) against the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Larry Fitzgerald has said he will play for the Arizona Cardinals or no one in 2017, but here are five teams he could land with if he changes his mind.

As the Arizona Cardinals near the end of a disappointing 2016 season, doubt about the future of some notable veterans on the team has come to the surface. At the top of that list is quarterback Carson Palmer, and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has gone back and forth in recent days about his plans for 2017.

Fitzgerald is not the player he was, but he is leading the league with 98 receptions while approaching the eighth 1,000-yard season of his career with two games to go (949 yards). During a Monday interview with Jim Gray, Fitzgerald hinted at wanting to play for a championship contending team in 2017. But during a charity appearance Tuesday night, Fitzgerald told a local reporter he would “never play anywhere else” besides Arizona.

Fitzgerald has one year left on his contract, in what will be 14th NFL season at age 34. Playing beyond that point seems unlikely right now, so Fitzgerald will have one last chance to win a Super Bowl next season.

Assuming he does not retire, and the Cardinals show a willingness to move him, here are five potential landing spots for Fitzgerald in 2017.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati’s long run of playoff berths will end this season, and the status of head coach Marvin Lewis is in doubt. But there is a lot of talent throughout the roster, on both sides of the ball, and for better or worse Andy Dalton provides some stability under center.

The Bengals could easily rebound back to the playoffs in 2017, and teaming Fitzgerald with A.J. Green would instantly give them one of the best wide receiver duos in the league. Winning a playoff game has been a big, daunting step for Cincinnati in recent years, but Fitzgerald would add instant credibility to the situation no matter who the head coach is.

A notoriously thrifty owner may keep the Bengals from having an interest in acquiring Fitzgerald, but with one year left on his contract, a significant investment is not required.

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