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Larry Fitzgerald’s time with Arizona Cardinals could be over

By Jim Koch

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 03: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals stands on the sideline during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 03: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals stands on the sideline during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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This past Wednesday, the Arizona Cardinals made a move that many followers of the NFL were surprised by. While fans of the club sat wondering if Larry Fitzgerald was going to return to the team, the Cards went out and signed another 30-something wide receiver. Does the acquisition of veteran A.J. Green signal the end of the phenomenal Fitzgerald’s time in the desert?

The cash that the Cardinals have already allocated to the wideout position in 2021 could potentially leave the future Hall of Famer out in the cold. Superstar DeAndre Hopkins will carry a salary-cap hit of $12.5 million this coming fall, while the newly-acquired Green will count $3.5 million against Arizona’s $182 million limit. Another receiver, Christian Kirk, will add another $3 milion-plus to Big Red’s salary-cap number this year.

Besides the signing of the 32-year old Green, Arizona made a couple of other significant acquisitions this past week as well. Center Rodney Hudson came aboard after a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, while Matt Prater was brought in to solve the squad’s placekicking dilemma. Both additions combined to take a large chunk out of the salary-cap space that the Cards had left, making it less likely that the franchise will have much money left to pay the 37-year old Fitzgerald.

Besides Hopkins, Green and Kirk, the Cardinals have a couple of third-year pass-catchers on the roster as well. Andy Isabella was a second-round choice in 2019 who has not yet lived up to expectations. The same could be said about KeeSean Johnson, who was taken in the sixth round of that same draft by the Cardinals.

There’s always a chance that Fitzgerald could take his talents elsewhere. While the thought of that is both disturbing and depressing, the “Red Sea” should prepare for that scenario just in case. A contending team would love to have a player like Fitzgerald, a classy individual who would provide leadership and catch every pass that’s thrown in his direction.

Fitzgerald will go down as one of the greatest players in Arizona sports history. Unfortunately, all good things must eventually to an end. Sadly, those who love the team may not have the honor of seeing Fitzgerald in a Cardinals uniform ever again.

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