Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s future with the Cardinals promises to be the subject of much speculation in the coming weeks and months, but Fitzgerald wasn’t willing to fan the flames on Saturday night.
Fitzgerald is set to count $23.6 million against the cap in 2015, a number that will make it difficult for the Cardinals to address all of their other needs this offseason. The team says it won’t be releasing Fitzgerald, but a trade joins a restructured contract and a pay cut as possible ways for things to play out. Fitzgerald wasn’t in the mood to talk contract after the final whistle sounded on the Panthers’ victory over Arizona.
“The taste of defeat is the only thing I can think about right now. It’s all that’s on my mind. It’s been a great season competing with these fellas and this coaching staff,” Fitzgerald said, via the Arizona Republic. “I love Arizona, I love the Cardinals, I love the city. I couldn’t be more appreciative of the opportunity to live my dream and compete in the NFL.”
At some point, Fitzgerald will have to think about whether he wants to continue with the Cardinals in a competitive situation because altering his salary and cap imprint will give them a much better chance of returning to the playoffs in 2015 and beyond.
