Arizona Cardinals: “Three Musketeers” may return in 2018

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Head coach Bruce Arians (C) of the Arizona Cardinals talks with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Head coach Bruce Arians (C) of the Arizona Cardinals talks with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald

The Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald, Bruce Arians and Carson Palmer may be planning on one more Super Bowl run together

They are the “Three Musketeers” of the Arizona Cardinals. Since 2013, head coach Bruce Arians, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and quarterback Carson Palmer have been the franchise’s three most-important figures. And a recent transaction may be an indication that they’re not ready to go away just yet.

The one-year contract extension that Fitzgerald was signed to on Friday is interesting for a couple of reasons. For one, it’s surprising due to the fact that the future Hall of Famer was strongly considering retirement this past offseason. Secondly, it may also be a sign that the organization isn’t ready yet to rebuild the roster and start anew next year.

There’s been ongoing speculation concerning the future of Palmer. Like Fitzgerald, the 37-year old signal-caller thought long and hard about calling it quits at the end of 2016. Palmer took a fierce beating last year, and the onslaught continued into the current campaign until the passer was felled in week seven.

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Would the fact that the 15th-year pro’s 2017 season ended prematurely convince him to play in ’18? Does Fitzgerald’s new deal indicate that Palmer has told the wideout that he wants to take one more shot at a Lombardi Trophy?

Arians also has been the subject of retirement talk. The 65-year old has experienced various health issues since becoming the Cardinals’ head honcho, but seems fine at the moment. One would think that if both Fitzgerald and Palmer were to come back, Arians would want to be the one who’s coaching the pair.

Having the threesome return would provide a certain comfort level for Arizona fans. The Cards’ offense would almost seem naked without “Fitz”, and no passer has been groomed to take Palmer’s place. While Arians has struggled over the past two seasons, he still possesses one of the league’s finest offensive minds.

So let the “Three Musketeers” reconvene one more time. They’ve proven to be an effective triumvirate during their time together in the desert. And who knows, there may even be a Super Bowl title waiting at the end of their next ride.

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