Arizona Cardinals begin contract talks with Larry Fitzgerald
The Arizona Cardinals are having talks with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald about extending his contract.
According to sources, the contract will include about $40 to $50 million guaranteed.
Fitzgerald, who signed with Cardinals in 2004, turned 27 last month. He was the third pick of the first round to the tune of $60 million for six years. After a couple of applicable clauses and a new salary cap in 2008, Fitzgerald then signed a $40 million
contract for four years. 2011 will be the final season in his contract, which is why there are talks about an extension.
This new deal could make Fitzgerald the highest paid player in the NFL who isn’t a quarterback. He was quite frustrated with the team’s decrease in performance this season. Even while the team has been switching between quarterbacks, he still had 90 receptions
for 1,137 yards this season. However, the 5-11 record raised questions about whether Fitzgerald would accept a contract extension or not.
Sources say that he has been “very receptive” and “all class, a real team guy” about staying with the team for the future. The Cardinals have assured him that they will do all that they can in order to get a good quarterback who will be able to utilize Fitzgerald’s
skills to his fullest extent.
Even if the Cardinals use their fifth overall draft pick to get a young quarterback, they will need to get an experienced quarterback through either a trade or free agency.
Baltimore Ravens’ backup Marc Bulger and Seattle Seahawks’ Matt Hasselbeck are good options. What’s so interesting about Hasselbeck is that the Seahawks outbid the Cardinals for San Diego Chargers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst last season.
Other viable options are Donovan McNabb, Vince Young, Kyle Orton, and Kerry Collins.
Philadelphia Eagles’ backup quarterback Kevin Kolb has one year left on his contract although he may be traded for two first round draft picks. Michael Vick is also technically a free agent the Eagles might put a franchise tag on him, if he does not agree
to a long term contract.
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