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Fitz returns to Arizona Cardinals for 2019

By Scott Allen

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 30: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals during warm-ups before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 30: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals during warm-ups before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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The Arizona Cardinals receiver signs deal through 2019

The moment we wait for each January now.  Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald has signed a one-year deal to return to the team in 2019.  It will be his 16th in the NFL.

Over the past few seasons we’ve grown accustomed to waiting for Fitz to make a decision on his immediate future.  This year the wait lasted about three and a half weeks.

Even though no hints were given over the past couple of weeks in separate interviews Fitz has given, it seemed as if this would be the result.  After a 3-13 season in which even a roster was more than half-flipped from the previous season, expectations were not met.

With a rookie NFL coach in Kliff Kingsbury hired to coach the Cardinals though, some thought maybe Fitz would hang it up.  Right now Fitz is 34 but will turn 35 just before the start of the 2019 season.

Fitz was still the number one receiver for the Cardinals in 2019 despite the lower numbers over 2018.  In 2019, Fitz caught 69 passes for 734-yards and six touchdowns.

He had 40 fewer receptions in 2018 thanks to a struggling offense lead by a rookie quarterback.  His production may have been down but it didn’t appear he was any less active or able on the field.

Now the Cardinals can plan how to re-build the receiver room.  Fitz can go into 2019 as the number one again with Christian Kirk right behind him as the number two.

After that, it is anyone’s guess as to what the team will do but it is thought they may replace a couple of the existing pieces in order to improve.  Chad Williams, Trent Sherfield, and J.J. Nelson are all under the microscope.

Naturally one of the first questions Fitz will get asked is what about beyond 2019?  Just don’t.  Let’s enjoy the fact Fitz wants to give it at least one more try.

Next. Arizona Cardinals: Give coaching staff a chance. dark

This won’t be a Super Bowl contending team in 2019 but given the right pieces, with the right play calling, they may just be able to get things back on track.  Having veteran leadership from a guy like Fitz will be invaluable to the team.

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