ARIZONA CARDINALS

ESPN Insider: Fitzgerald has Cardinals’ most player-friendly contract

Jun 28, 2016, 4:33 PM

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) stretches the ball over San Francisco 49ers s...

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) stretches the ball over San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

Larry Fitzgerald signed a two-year pact with the Cardinals last offseason before leading the team in yards in 2015. Still, one writer calls the deal Arizona’s most player-friendly contract.

In a list of every NFL team’s most player-friendly deal, ESPN’s Mike Sando put Fitzgerald’s name next to the Cardinals, citing his two-year, $22 million guaranteed contract.

Fitzgerald has repeatedly parlayed his rich rookie deal into player-friendly extensions as the Cardinals sought relief under the salary cap. His resurgence on the field has made the arrangement work for Arizona. Fitzgerald has a guaranteed $11 million salary for 2016. His deal counts nearly $16 million against the cap.

The future Hall of Famer boasts the Cardinals highest base salary and second-highest cap hit behind Carson Palmer, but was arguably the most potent offensive producer for Arizona in 2015.

In his age 32 season, Fitz was first on the team in yards (1,215) and receptions (109), and was second in touchdowns (9). His two receptions in overtime of the Cardinals’ Divisional Round playoff against the Packers propelled the team to a 26-20 win.

A case could have been made for Calais Campbell, a defensive end who poses just $600,000 less of a cap hit for the Cardinals next year than Fitz (and $1.5 million less guaranteed salary). Last season, he was second on the team in sacks (5), and sixth in tackles (46).

Other big ticket players on the Cardinals include cornerback Patrick Peterson ($9.75 million base salary, $13 million cap hit), left tackle Jared Veldheer ($7.25 million base, $9 million cap hit), Chandler Jones ($7.8 million salary/cap hit) and wide receiver Michael Floyd ($7.32 million salary/cap hit).

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

14 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

17 hours ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

1 day ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

ESPN Insider: Fitzgerald has Cardinals’ most player-friendly contract