Larry

Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald, who turns 39 this summer, has never officially announced his retirement, but it seems to be a foregone conclusion that his playing days are over. Arians, of course, was Fitzgerald’s longtime coach in Arizona, and he tried to get Fitzgerald to play the slot for the Bucs in a playoff run. But Fitzgerald allegedly told Arians he “couldn’t run two plays right now” when Arians approached him. Fitzgerald is content in his post-football life as a broadcaster and minority owner of the Phoenix Suns.

“To be honest with you, I just don’t have the urge to play right now,” Fitzgerald told Jim Gray during an interview on Sirius XM. “I don’t know how I’ll feel in September, October, November moving forward but I just, today, I just don’t have the urge. And I think I have to be respectful of that.” 38 at the end of August, it sounds as if Fitzgerald has all but formally announced the end of his illustrious 17-year career. With DeAndre Hopkins, Rondale Moore, Christian Kirk, and A.J. Green in place, Fitzgerald would merely return as a veteran leader if he (surprisingly) chooses to give it one last go in Arizona.

“I haven’t decided anything,” was Fitzgerald’s quote a few weeks ago. “Training camp starts in a few weeks. I’m excited, it’s going to be another great year for the NFL.” It would appear the Cardinals made a take-it-or-leave-it offer and Fitz has thus far left it. It’s also possible both sides know Fitz will eventually re-up, but he is taking the savvy veteran approach of sitting out a few weeks of the rigors of camp. Coming off the worst year of his career, Fitz would be returning more as a team leader/depth after the Cardinals signed A.J. Green and used a Day 2 pick on Rondale Moore. Fantasy value is not in his future.

“I haven’t decided anything. Training camp starts in a few weeks. I’m excited, it’s going to be another great year for the NFL.” Fitzgerald, 38 next month, remains a free agent after his one-year extension expired in March. Cardinals GM Steve Keim hasn’t ruled out bringing him back, but an Arizona return is unlikely after A.J. Green signed this offseason. Fitzgerald, who’s never won a Super Bowl, should have interest from teams if he returns for another season.

A free agent for the first time in his career, 37-year-old Fitzgerald has yet to decide if he’ll continue playing. The Cardinals look to have moved on, signing A.J. Green to a one-year, $8 million contract this offseason. Arizona also has Christian Kirk and Andy Isabella as returning options in the slot. Fitzgerald remained effective in a scaled back role last year, posting a 54/409/1 line on 72 targets. There’s been rumors Fitzgerald could reunite with ex-Cardinals coach Bruce Arians in Tampa.

Fitzgerald is a free agent for the first time in his career. Entering his age-37 season, the expectation is he’ll retire, but it’s possible he could sign with a contender for a chance to win a Super Bowl, something he’s never done in his career. The first-ballot Hall of Famer remained effective out of the slot last year, posting a 54/409/1 line on 72 targets. With the Cardinals signing A.J. Green, the door looks closed on Fitzgerald returning to Arizona.

Andy Isabella is up after being healthy scratched the previous few weeks. Also inactive for the Cardinals are QB Brett Hundley, RB Eno Benjamin, CB Jace Whittaker, OL Lamont Gaillard, and OL Josh Miles.

The Cardinals have up until an hour and a half before kickoff to make a final decision on Fitzgerald but it doesn’t sound like he will play. With Christian Kirk on the reserve/COVID-19 list, DeAndre Hopkins could post a career-high in targets if the Rams find a way to make this game competitive. KeeSean Johnson and Andy Isabella will likely start for Arizona. Johnson typically plays a mix of offense and special teams while Isabella has been a healthy scratch in recent weeks. It’s hard to expect much from either receiver to close out the regular season.

Fitzgerald hasn’t missed a game with an injury in the last seven seasons — he was placed on the COVID list earlier this year — so one would imagine he suits up for Arizona’s must-win tilt on Sunday. Even if active, he’s only usable in deeper PPR leagues with multiple flex spots.

Fitzgerald was second on the team in targets in Arizona’s pass-heavy attack. Fitzgerald’s low yards per target all but eliminates his weekly ceiling barring a touchdown or two. He’s only usable in deeper PPR leagues with multiple flex spots.