Dec 8, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals got right down to business, just two days after the end of the 2013 season. One of the biggest concerns going into the offseason was the status of wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s contract. He was going to make too much next season, taking a huge salary cap hit for the Cards. Today, it was put to rest as Fitz agreed to a restructured contract with the Cards.
Today’s move tells me two things. First, the Cards are serious about winning now and not letting their franchise player go. Secondly, this tells me Fitz truly believes that and believes the Cards are ready to win it all now. It is just a further indication of how far this franchise has come in such little time.
Last week Fitz said in an interview that he wanted to do what needed to be done in order to get his contract situation resolved. He was a man of his word. It wasn’t just what everyone wanted to hear. It was what he truly wanted to do. This move brings back a valuable piece to the puzzle for the offense going forward. It also saves the Cards some cap space.
Terms of the restructured contract were not immediately released but he was due to be a $18 million hit on the cap in 2014. My guess is a lot of that was moved to later years or he got some kind of signing bonus. My guess is a little of both. This move should help the Cards in dealing with contracts such as linebacker Karlos Dansby, cornerback Patrick Peterson, and defensive end Frostee Rucker, whom Fitz specifically mentioned in his interview last week. This franchise has just shown me they mean business. They are going to do all it takes to win now in 2014.