ARIZONA CARDINALS

Larry Fitzgerald should be appreciated even if Saturday is his last game with the Arizona Cardinals

Jan 2, 2015, 11:15 PM | Updated: 11:17 pm

Follow @Gambo987Presented By...

No one, not even Larry Fitzgerald himself knows for sure if Saturday’s game against the Carolina Panthers will be his final game in an Arizona Cardinals uniform.

Only time will tell.

Arizona general manager Steve Keim has said all the right things about wanting Fitzgerald to return for a 12th season in Arizona.

Keim has talked about wanting Fitz to retire as a Cardinal. He has mentioned having his 2015 salary and cap number already budgeted. But Keim has never guaranteed he would come back only saying it is his intent to have him back.

The face of the franchise is scheduled to count an astonishing $23.6 million dollars against the salary cap next season. That’s a lot of money and Arizona could probably do a few things if they either cut Fitz or get him to take a massive pay cut. By cutting him before June 1, Arizona could save $9.2 million dollars on the cap and get his contract, which runs through 2018, off their books. A trade is possible but probably a longshot, although a team trading for Fitzgerald would likely rip up the current contract and give him a new deal.

Look I know its not the popular decision here but I have no problem with Arizona cutting Larry if he doesn’t want to play for what his true value is and that’s probably around $8 million dollars per year on a short-term deal. Anquan Boldin, the former Cardinals wideout, signed a 2-year $12 million dollar deal with the 49ers and although he’s two years older, he has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and is more productive than his former teammate.

I know, I know.

How could anyone want to see Fitz playing in another uniform. He has meant so much to this organization and this community. I get it. I do. But, it’s a business and it makes NO business sense to keep the franchise’s all-time receiving leader at the money he is scheduled to make.

And let’s make no mistake about this. If Fitz leaves and plays elsewhere it does nothing to tarnish his reputation in Arizona.

He is and he always will be one of the greatest Cardinals players and one of the greatest athletes to ever play in Arizona.

He is a future Ring of Honor member and a future Cardinals Hall of Famer.

I mean, let’s be honest. It sucked that Steve Nash went to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, but he will go in the Suns Ring of Honor and always be remembered for his two MVP awards and that 7-seconds-or-less offense.

Aeneas Williams and Larry Centers, both legendary Cardinals players, both finished their careers with other organizations. Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, Eric Dickerson, Peyton Manning, Johnny Unitas and Tony Dorsett are just a few of the greatest players in NFL history that finished their careers playing for someone other than where they became legendary.

Fitz is still good. But he is a glorified tight end in this offense. He is a slot receiver. They don’t run fade routes to him. They don’t go downfield to him. That job is now Michael Floyd and John Brown’s. He is a third option at best and his numbers show that. He is not a 1,000-yard receiver anymore, at least not in this offense.

Again, he is still good. He can help the Cardinals win games. And for 11 years he has been paid like one of the best players in the game. Now, it’s time for him to play for the pay he is worth. And if he doesn’t want to do that then you simply say “thank you” for all you have done and we will see you in a few years when we hang a banner with your name on it from the University of Phoenix Stadium rafters.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Vincent DeAngelis

PFF’s Spielberger grades Cardinals’ free agent class among worst in NFL

PFF's Brad Spielberger gave the Cardinals' free agent class a "C" grade in his latest rankings. It was the worst grade among all 32 teams.

29 minutes ago

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

9 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

13 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Larry Fitzgerald should be appreciated even if Saturday is his last game with the Arizona Cardinals