Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Cardinals are expected to ask WR Larry Fitzgerald to take a pay cut this offseason given that he is set to make $15 million next year.
“I’m told the ball is in his court, as far as how much he wants to accept and how willing he is to help their salary cap situation,” Rapoport said.
Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona, citing a source familiar with the situation, reported earlier in the week that Fitzgerald does not expect to be back with the team next year.
According to Morgan, Fitzgerald is unlikely to restructure again next year, and is reportedly not happy with his current role in the team’s offense.
Should Fitzgerald, in fact, be unwilling to rework his contract, he could force the Cardinals to consider trading him or releasing him outright.
Fitzgerald, 31, is in the fourth year of his eight-year, $128.5 million contract that included $50 million guaranteed. After reworking his contract, Fitzgerald received an $11.75 million signing bonus and has a base salary of $1 million for the 2014 season.
Next year, Fitzgerald has an $8 million roster bonus that’s due in March to go along with his base salary of $8 million in 2015.
After that, his salaries are $15 million and $14.75 million from the final two years of the agreement.
Fitzgerald finished the regular season with 63 catches for 784 yards and two touchdowns over the course of 14 games. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 31 receiver out of 110 qualifying players.
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