Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim indicated at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis that the team and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald have completed a new two-year contract that will enable the veteran to remain in Arizona.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that Fitzgerald’s new deal is for $11 million, a total that saves the team $13 million in 2015. It remains to be seen what Fitzgerald’s cap number will be, but it’s safe to say he won’t count $23 million against the Cardinals cap.
Keim had this to explain regarding Fitz’s new deal…
The two biggest pulls for us were pretty simple. No. 1 to compensate Larry for the type of player, the type of talent he is and the leader that he is. And then essentially clearing up enough salary cap space for us moving forward to be able to be aggressive and proactive when free agency starts.
Being that Fitzgerald is the Cardinals’ franchise leader in nearly every major receiving category, and one of the most popular players in the team’s history, it is great to hear that he is on target to retire as a member of the team he has been so devoted to over the last 11 seasons.
A first-round pick in 2014, Fitzgerald will open his 12th NFL season with 909 catches, 12,151 receiving yards and 89 touchdowns under his belt. On his way to becoming a Hall of Famer, the eight-time Pro-Bowler now hopes to add a Super Bowl ring to his career accomplishments.
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