Cardinals add another year to Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald’s contracts
Aug 5, 2016, 1:00 PM | Updated: 6:56 pm
QB Carson Palmer chats with WR Larry Fitzgerald during training camp. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
(Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)
So, that happened.
The Arizona Cardinals, just days after locking up defensive back Tyrann Mathieu on a long-term deal, extended the contracts for a couple of other key players, too, as a year has been added to each of Carson Palmer’s and Larry Fitzgerald’s contracts.
How about that.
“Clearly these are two core members of our team who have played major roles in our success,” said Cardinals GM Steve Keim. “Each of them had contracts that were due to expire in the next year or two so these extensions provide a measure of certainty and clarity for the players and organization, both now and in the years ahead. It also reaffirms our long-stated intention that when the time comes, these two great players end their stellar careers as Cardinals.”
Fitzgerald’s deal was perhaps a bit more pressing, as he was set to become a free agent following the 2016 season.
#AZCardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald signed a 1-year extension worth $11M, source said — same as his base salary for '16. Guaranteed for injury
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2016
Palmer, on the other hand, was under contract through the 2017 season.
#AZCardinals gave QB Carson Palmer a 1-yr extension worth just under $24.35M, source said. Next 2 years are now fully guaranteed. Up in ‘18
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2016
There had been some speculation that, depending on how this season went for each player, it was possibly going to be their last in the NFL. Fitzgerald, 32, caught 109 passes for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns last year, while the 36-year-old Palmer threw for 4,671 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Of course, just because their contracts were extended does not mean they are guaranteed to return, as these moves could have been done with an eye on creating extra salary cap space for this season.
The numbers have not yet been released, though, and it will be interesting to see how and why this all went down. At any rate, it would indicate that if nothing else, neither player is expected to go anywhere else anytime soon.
