Talks between Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals over a contract extension have officially started.
Even though he will be 32 years old when the 2015 NFL season begins, Larry Fitzgerald is still a player that gets waves of attention from defenses. Sure his days of putting up elite numbers are likely over, but the Arizona Cardinals, when healthy, are a team that can contend for a Super Bowl. However, to get to the final game, they will need to bring back Fitzgerald.
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According to NFL.com, Fitzgerald and the Cardinals have begun talks over a contract extension. Considering that Fitzgerald has played all of his 11 seasons with the Cardinals, general manager Steve Keim talked about what it would be like if Fitzgerald played for another team.
“It would be awfully tough for me to see Larry Fitzgerald wearing another uniform,”
For a team that was ousted in the first round of the playoffs, the Cardinals will be able to get healthy this offseason as well as bring back their core groups on both sides of the ball. When starter Carson Palmer and backup Drew Stanton both went down with injuries, the Cardinals were forced to rely on Ryan Lindley, who was inept to say the least in his action with the starting gig. In the NFC Wild Card Game against the Carolina Panthers, Fitzgerald was open multiple times, but Lindley was never able to quite connect with him.
In 2014, Fitzgerald had 63 catches on 103 targets for 784 receiving yards and just two touchdowns. However, the year before, Fitzgerald reeled in 82 catches for 954 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. The fact remains that when Fitzgerald has a competent quarterback calling the plays, he can still make an impact during any game.
Even though the Cardinals would gain $16 million in cap space by letting their all-time receiving go elsewhere, it’s an easy move to return eight-time Pro Bowler. The good news for Cardinals fans is that both sides want this deal to go through. Knowing that, this deal won’t cost a ton of money. At this stage in his career, Fitzgerald is not in it for the money. He’s in it for the Super Bowl ring and by bringing him back, the Cardinals improve their chances of completing that feat tremendously.
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