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.”

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons warms up at the start of NFL football practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) The Denver Broncos practice at the New York Jets facility Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman stretches as the start of NFL football practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) A traveler browses items at a special Super Bowl merchandise pop-up store at Newark Liberty International Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Newark, N.J. The Seattle Seahawks will play the Denver Broncos Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson drinks during NFL football practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey runs a drill during practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) This aerial photo shows MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. The Seattle Seahawks play the Denver Broncos on Sunday at the stadium in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game.(AP Photo) Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll watches as members of his team warms up during NFL football practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning passes during practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) 
Denver Broncos punter Britton Colquitt stretches during practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno runs a drill during practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) 
Denver Broncos head coach John Fox supervises a practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Bruno Mars who will headline the half-time show at the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game speaks during a press conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/) Bruno Mars who will headline the half-time show at the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game hold the game ball during a press conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/) Denver Broncos safety David Bruton catches a pass during practice Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Florham Park, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Opera singer Renee Fleming who will sing the National Anthem before the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game holds the game ball during a press conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo) NFL commissioner Roger Goodell talks during a news conference announcing the launch of NFL Now, a multimedia effort to engage fans with the league, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York, N.J. The Seattle Seahawks are scheduled to play the Denver Broncos in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game on Sunday, Feb. 2, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Former NFL players Kurt Warner, from left, Warren Sapp and LaDainian Tomlinson watch a video presentation during a news conference in which the NFL announced the launch of NFL Now, a multimedia effort to engage fans with the league, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York, N.J. The Seattle Seahawks are scheduled to play the Denver Broncos in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game on Sunday, Feb. 2, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Dr. Matthew Matava, president of the NFL Physicians Society, speaks during a news conference on health and safety at the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII media center, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo) Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor answers questions during a media availability Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner answers questions during a media availability Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) 
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch arrives for a media availability escorted by members of the New Jersey State Police Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Seahawks and the Denver Broncos are scheduled to play in the Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos head coach John Fox talks with reporters during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos safety Mike Adams talks with reporters during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo) Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning talks with reporters during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014, in Jersey City, N.J. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo)

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