Report: NFL Teams Concerned That Larry Fitzgerald’s New Contract Could Inflate WR Market

According to Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report, three NFL executives were “very surprised” that Larry Fitzgerald wound up securing the kind of money he did from the Cardinals in his new contract.

Cole’s sources said they expected the receiver market to be in the $7-$8 million range and Fitzgerald could end up at the top of that price range.

However, the fact that he’ll receive $11 million guaranteed over two years from Arizona has left teams concerned about this year’s market.

According to Cole, the Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill really wanted Fitzgerald back with the team for the remainder of his career.

Cardinals managed to free up $13 million in available cap space by re-signing Fitzgerald, which was really important for them based on their current financial situation. Fitzgerald’s new four-year agreement guarantees him $11 million per year over the next two seasons.

Although, Cardinals GM Steve Keim said that Fitzgerald’s new contract is “essentially” a two-year deal.

The news probably increases the likelihood that Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas will both receive the franchise tag in the near future.

The real intrigue, however, will be with free agents like Jeremy Maclin, Randall Cobb, Torrey Smith, and Michael Crabtree, who are all in position to test the free agent market.

There is also a decent chance that some notable veterans could join that group once teams start making some serious roster cuts.