Larry Fitzgerald Possibly Entering His Final Year With The Cardinals?

 

According to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, Pro Bowl WR Larry Fitzgerald could be entering his final season with the Cardinals.

Somers mentions that Fitzgerald’s cap figure will increase from $15 million this year to a staggering $23.6 million in 2015.

Somers adds that the Cardinals still want to keep Fitzgerald as a member of their team moving forward, but there is no question that this will be an issue that they’ll have to address at some point.

“We’ve worked hard to keep him a Cardinal,” Cardinals president Michael Bidwill told Channel 12 on Friday. “We’re going to keep him a Cardinal.”

Fitzgerald restructured his deal with the Cardinals this offseason, which explains the huge 2015 cap figure.

According to Overthecap.com, the Cardinals could free up $10.432 million next season if they were to release Fitzgerald, so this could be first time they have any amount of leverage in negotiations with their star receiver.

Jason Fitzgerald pointed out in Somer’ article that Arizona already has close to $135 million committed to the 2015 cap, but that doesn’t include a quarterback.

In the past two years, Fitzgerald has seen his production dip to some degree, even though that could be related to quarterback play. Over this span of time, he’s averaging 77 receptions for 876 yards receiving and two touchdowns. While that’s pretty decent for a No. 2 receiver, it’s hardly the type of production you’re hoping to see from someone making quarterbacks money.

I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this situation towards the end of the year.