ARIZONA CARDINALS

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

Feb 16, 2021, 11:32 AM

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) warms up prior to an NFL football game agains...

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

3 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.

3 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.

3 days ago

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