Larry Fitzgerald Open To Playing Beyond 2018 Season?

According to Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic, there have been “tiny whispers” in and around the Cardinals’ organization that veteran WR Larry Fitzgerald might be open to playing beyond the 2018 season.

New Cardinals HC Steve Wilks said Wednesday that he would “love” to have Fitzgerald back with the team.

“I think really that’s a question for him, but I would love to have him back,” Wilks said. “As I’ve said earlier, next year and maybe even a year after that.”

McManaman explains that there are a few reasons why sticking around could make sense for Fitzgerald including the fact that the Cardinals have multiple quarterbacks who can get him the ball including a quarterback of the future in Josh Rosen.

Beyond that, Fitzgerald hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down in recent years and the team could be better positioned to make a Super Bowl run after this season.

When asked about the possibility, Fitzgerald said he’s focused on simply finishing out the 2018 season in one piece.

“I’m just trying to get through February in one piece,” Fitzgerald said, “I don’t buy green bananas. I don’t have time to watch ’em ripe. I’ve got to get it now.”

Fitzgerald, 34, is a former first-round pick of the Cardinals back in 2004. He agreed to renegotiate his seven-year $113 million contract and signed a two-year, $22 million deal with Arizona that was fully guaranteed included a no-trade clause back in 2015.

However, Fitzgerald has received a few one-year extensions over the past few years that have kept him with the Cardinals.

In 2017, Fitzgerald appeared in 14 games and caught 92 receptions for 982 yards receiving and five touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 12 receiver out of 115 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Fitzgerald as the news is available.