New Cardinals WR coach has ‘no insight’ on Fitzgerald’s future plans

Larry Watch 2021 continues on.

Meeting with the media for the first time Tuesday since joining the Arizona Cardinals’ coaching staff, new wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson talked innovation, patience and, of course, wideout Larry Fitzgerald’s looming retirement decision.

“When they announced that I accepted the job here, he texted me and said, ‘Hey coach, looking forward to meeting with you, talking with you,’ stuff like that,” Jefferson said via Zoom. “That was the extent of our conversation so I have no insight of what’s he’s going to do, where he’s leaning, anything like that.

“But I thought it was very classy. He told me we’d find time to talk whenever he has time. This is the offseason period. I try not to bother guys. As we all know, this kid is the ultimate professional and I’m just looking forward to talking with him.”

The Cardinals enter the offseason with a number of personnel question marks, one being Fitzgerald’s future with the team.

“It’ll be awhile before anybody knows. He’s got a lot to think about,” head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters back in January. “We all want him back. He knows that we all know he can still be a force on the field when he’s feeling good and healthy. … He’s one of the best to ever play and can play at an incredibly high level, and we want him back.”

Fitzgerald just wrapped up his 17th NFL season, all of which have been with Arizona. He recorded 54 catches for 409 yards and a touchdown. It marked the worst season of his illustrious career.

He leads the franchise in total receiving yards (17,492), receptions (1,432) and touchdowns (121). He’s also been named to a franchise-leading 11 Pro Bowls and holds the NFL record for most receptions with a single team.

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