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

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).

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