Cardinals WR Fitzgerald signs one-year extension
Nov 17, 2017 - 10:39 PM The Arizona Cardinals signed Larry Fitzgerald to a one-year contract extension on Friday that keeps the 10-time Pro Bowl wide receiver under contract through the 2018 season.The deal will pay Fitzgerald $11 million in base salary.
Fitzgerald didn't make himself available for comment, but his Cardinals' teammates were overjoyed to hear the veteran wide receiver agreed to the extension.
"I like that. I like that," running back Adrian Peterson said Friday, "because it was discouraging when someone said to me, 'Do you think Fitz is going to retire this year?' And I was like, 'I hope not. With all the football he has left? I'd hate to see my friend go.' So that's a positive."
It isn't known for certain that Fitzgerald will actually return and play for a 15th season. Friday's contract announcement only ensures that if Fitzgerald does decide to return and play next season, it will be for the Cardinals.
"Everybody's happy for him," coach Bruce Arians said. "Hope he comes back and catches 100 more."
The 34-year old Fitzgerald has 60 catches for 677 yards and three touchdowns this season to lead the Cardinals in all three categories. He is on pace for 107 receptions and 1,204 yards in 2017 -- no player in NFL history has ever had 100-plus receptions and 1,000-plus receiving yards in a season he began at age 34 or older.
The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Fitzgerald led the NFL with 107 receptions last year, becoming the only player to lead the league in receptions 11 years apart (103 receptions in 2005).
With 10 receptions for 113 yards last Thursday night in a loss against the Seattle Seahawks, Fitzgerald became just the sixth player in NFL history to reach 15,000 career receiving yards. He currently ranks third in NFL history in career receptions (1,185), sixth in career receiving yards (15,066) and eighth in career touchdown receptions (107). He needs 62 receiving yards to pass Tony Gonzalez (15,127) for fifth place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list.
Fitzgerald also has at least one catch in 204 consecutive games, the third-longest streak in NFL history. If he has a reception in each of the final seven games this season, Fitzgerald will tie Gonzalez (211) for second place on that list.
Fitzgerald's 10 career Pro Bowl selections are the most in team history and he joins Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (13) as the only wide receivers in NFL history to be selected at least 10 times.
He has played in 211 regular-season games (second-most in team history) and is the franchise's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, total touchdowns and 100-yard games (45). His eight 1,000-yard receiving seasons are also the most in team history.
The assumption is that with Fitzgerald signed for at least another year, Arians will be back as head coach in 2018 as well. Not so fast, Arians said. He's indicated he plans to keep coaching, but said Fitzgerald's new deal doesn't impact his situation at all.
"That's totally different," he said. "They're separate entities."
It doesn't hurt, though, right?
"No," Arians said, smiling.
Fitzgerald was originally taken by the Cardinals in the first round (third overall) of the 2004 draft out of Pittsburgh.
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Ravens-49ers: How to watch, start time, TV channel, live stream and more Dec 25
- Eagles vs Giants: How to watch, game time, TV schedule, streaming and more Dec 25
- Chiefs vs Raiders: How to watch, game time, TV schedule, streaming and more Dec 25
- Highlighting the Cardinals’ positives on Christmas Day Dec 25
- Arizona Cardinals open as underdogs against Philadelphia Eagles Dec 25
- Arizona Cardinals comeback bid falls short in loss to Chicago Bears Dec 24
- Cardinals-Bears second half open thread Dec 24
- Cardinals-Bears first half open thread Dec 24
- Revenge of the Birds staff picks, predictions and best bets for Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season Dec 24
- Cardinals-Bears Week 16 preview, matchups to watch, and picks Dec 24
- Cardinals vs. Bears: How to watch, game time, TV schedule, streaming and more Dec 24
- Bird Droppings: Kyler Murray gets Justin Fields, Trey McBride ascending tight end rankings, Cardinals run game looks to stay hot and more Dec 24