ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals add another year to Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald’s contracts

Aug 5, 2016, 1:00 PM | Updated: 6:56 pm

QB Carson Palmer chats with WR Larry Fitzgerald during training camp. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona ...

QB Carson Palmer chats with WR Larry Fitzgerald during training camp. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

So, that happened.

The Arizona Cardinals, just days after locking up defensive back Tyrann Mathieu on a long-term deal, extended the contracts for a couple of other key players, too, as a year has been added to each of Carson Palmer’s and Larry Fitzgerald’s contracts.

How about that.

“Clearly these are two core members of our team who have played major roles in our success,” said Cardinals GM Steve Keim. “Each of them had contracts that were due to expire in the next year or two so these extensions provide a measure of certainty and clarity for the players and organization, both now and in the years ahead. It also reaffirms our long-stated intention that when the time comes, these two great players end their stellar careers as Cardinals.”

Fitzgerald’s deal was perhaps a bit more pressing, as he was set to become a free agent following the 2016 season.

Palmer, on the other hand, was under contract through the 2017 season.

There had been some speculation that, depending on how this season went for each player, it was possibly going to be their last in the NFL. Fitzgerald, 32, caught 109 passes for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns last year, while the 36-year-old Palmer threw for 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns.

Of course, just because their contracts were extended does not mean they are guaranteed to return, as these moves could have been done with an eye on creating extra salary cap space for this season.

The numbers have not yet been released, though, and it will be interesting to see how and why this all went down. At any rate, it would indicate that if nothing else, neither player is expected to go anywhere else anytime soon.

 

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Trey Lance...

Arizona Sports

What is the going rate for top 5 picks? Looking at NFL Draft trades with Cardinals facing choices

The Cardinals are in the opportunistic position of owning the No. 4 pick when more teams need a quarterback entering the NFL Draft.

2 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort chats with Michael Bidwill pregame...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals Corner: Best- and worst-case scenarios for Cardinals’ NFL Draft

Cardinals Corner co-hosts Tyler Drake and Lauren Koval break down the best- and worst-case scenarios for Arizona this NFL Draft.

5 hours ago

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

John Gambadoro

The Gambo 5: Predicting whom the Arizona Cardinals pick 1st in 2024

Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze and two others are on Gambo's list of predicted Arizona Cardinals picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

10 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort speaks at the NFL Combine...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will the Cardinals do with the No. 4 pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

11 hours ago

Steve Keim looks on...

Tyler Drake

Ex-Cardinals general manager Steve Keim ‘much happier now’ after rehab stint

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim opened up about his mysterious leave of absence and parting of ways from the team on Tuesday.

1 day ago

Presented By...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is the best move the Cardinals can make in the 1st round of the NFL Draft?

On this episode of Cardinals Corner, Arizona Sports Cardinals reporter Tyler Drake and do-it-all contributor Lauren Koval dive into their best- and worst-case scenarios for the Cardinals in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

1 day ago

Cardinals add another year to Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald’s contracts