WR Larry Fitzgerald mulls options in retirement versus chasing titles

It does not sound like receiver Larry Fitzgerald has made up his mind about what this year will bring. But it seems like he’s thinking about all of his available options, inside and out of football.

The Arizona Cardinals free agent on Tuesday admitted he’s considered going into television or pursuing more business endeavors if he decides to retire from the NFL.

“I mean, I’ve thought about it. Getting into ownership of a football team or even in TV, it takes a real strong commitment — something I’ve been looking into over the past few months if I do indeed decide to hang ’em up this offseason,” Fitzgerald said Tuesday while visiting the The Fred Couples Show on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio.

“I look at every option, and when they present themselves I kind of weigh on the importance and talk it over with family, and that’s kind of how I make decisions moving forward.”

On the other end of the spectrum of options for the 37-year-old is returning to the NFL for his 18th season.

To reach the conclusion that keeping his playing career alive is the right move, Fitzgerald said on Tuesday that the choice comes down to this:

“That I have a desire to continue to play and chase greatness,” he said. “The only reason you play is to win a championship, and that would be the only reason I would be participating.”

Fitzgerald recorded 54 catches for 409 yards and a touchdown for the 8-8 Cardinals in 2020, all of which were career lows.

The Cardinals could still have mutual interest if they want the Arizona legend and future hall of famer to complete his career in the desert.

Then again, Arizona is in a relatively tight spot with many free agents potentially departing. The team has the largest numbers of snaps from the 2020 season taken by players who enter free agency this offseason, according to OverTheCap.com’s Jason Fitzgerald.

The Cardinals at least have difference-makers locked in at quarterback, receiver, edge rusher and linebacker. It might come down to whether Arizona would again offer Fitzgerald a one-year deal in the eight-figure range.

Fitzgerald expressed confidence in the roster that the Cardinals have assembled around quarterback Kyler Murray.

“We got a really solid nucleus,” Fitzgerald said. “Very young. Got some dynamic playmakers on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

“The future is very bright here in Arizona when you have a quarterback who can compete and do the things that our young quarterback can do. It makes it very good in terms of just playing into the playoffs and being able to have a chance.”

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