ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald on contract restructuring: ‘I’ll do what I need to do’

Jan 30, 2014, 8:01 PM | Updated: Jan 31, 2014, 12:38 am

Larry Fitzgerald has spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, catching 846 passes for 11,367 yards and 87 touchdowns.

He’s an eight-time Pro Bowler and at 30 years old is still playing at a high level, and no doubt the team would like to keep the face of the franchise around for a while longer.

Yet, Fitzgerald is due to count a hefty $18 million against the team’s salary cap this season, which is a number they’ll most likely look to bring down via a contract extension of sorts.

“I don’t know,” Fitzgerald told the Dan Bickley Show with Vince Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Thursday from Radio Row in New York. “When those discussions come, I’ll do what I need to do.”

Fitzgerald said he has a “great relationship” with general manager Steve Keim, whose vision he understands, and that he “loves Coach Arians and the direction he’s taking this ball club.”

The Cardinals won 10 games last season and appear to have their quarterback situation settled with Carson Palmer. For the first time in a few seasons, there is a great sense of optimism surrounding the team.

“I was really excited about what we were able to accomplish last year,” Fitzgerald said, noting how many games the Cardinals won in what he believes is the best division in the NFL. “We lose our first round pick, Jonathan Cooper, in the third preseason game of the year; we lose Tyrann (Mathieu) later on in the year. We’ve got some young guys that are coming on strong. Michael Floyd obviously has got a tremendous future, so I’m really excited about just the way things are going.

“Carson coming in and throwing for 4,000 yards to Andre Ellington…there’s a lot that you can really be excited about moving forward.”

While that does not mean Fitzgerald will take a pay cut, it does sound like he’s ready to take a look at the contract and see if something can be done to alleviate the pressure on the team.

“I understand that at 30 years old, there’s things that need to change,” Fitzgerald said. “That’s part of football, that’s part of being an older veteran and part of this league.

“I want to see this team do well. I love the nucleus of guys. I know Patrick’s deal is coming up — he needs to be compensated as the best corner in the game, which I feel that he is. We’ve got to take care of Karlos Dansby, Frostee Rucker. There’s a lot of guys that deserve to be compensated for their play, and I understand that.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

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.

15 hours 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.

18 hours 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.

1 day 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.

2 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.

2 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.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald on contract restructuring: ‘I’ll do what I need to do’