Patriots Were Interested In Trading For Larry Fitzgerald Last Year?

Update:

Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports that a source has informed him that the Patriots “have never entered any real negotiations with the Cardinals for [Larry] Fitzgerald — this year, last year, any year.”

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Tom Curran of CSN New England reports that an “individual” has informed him that the New England Patriots were interested in trading for Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald last offseason.

• Curran adds that he believe’s this person “without reservation.”
• Ian Rapoport mentions that this is the “first the Cardinals have heard of this” idea.

It’s hard to put a lot of stock in this idea, but Fitzgerald has been no stranger to trade rumors in recent years.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported in the days leading up the trade deadline that a trade could be in play for Fitzgerald following the 2013 season.

Schefter mentioned at the time that the Cardinals could save $8 million by trading Fitzgerald as his cap figure is set to increase to $18 million for the 2014 season.

The Cardinals have previously refuted the notion that they’ve considered trading Fitzgerald, and it appears as though this is still not something they are willing to explore.

Fitzgerald, 30, has four years remaining on his eight-year deal worth $128.5 million contract that included $50 million guaranteed. As we’ve mentioned earlier, Figerald is an obvious candidate to restructure his contract this offseason.

As for the Patriots, they could of course use a legitimate No. 1 receiver and have pulled the trigger on a similar deal in the past that sent Randy Moss to New England. That situation was of course much different than the circumstance that surround Fitzgerald and the Cardinals, but it’s at least worth noting that the Patriots have looked to the trade market for receiver help before.

All things considered, I would be surprised to see the Cardinals trade Fitzgerald this offseason.