It is hard to imagine Larry Fitzgerald in a uniform other than the Arizona Cardinals, but that is the reality with the trade deadline approaching on Tuesday. The veteran wide receiver had another standout game on Sunday after becoming the youngest receiver to ever collect 900 receptions. With is contract increasing the salary cap next season, the Cardinals will likely attempt to trade Fitzgerald in 2014.
Fitzgerald becomes an $18 million salary cap hit in 2014. The team would save $8 million by trading him. While a deal is not likely by Tuesday, the veteran will be in play come the offseason. ESPN reports the Cardinals will first attempt to restructure Fitzgerald's contract or a trade will be put in place. For now, the wide receiver is not letting the rumors get to his head.
"I come to work every day and just focus on how I can help the Arizona Cardinals and help my team win," Fitzgerald said, via ESPN.com. "If they decide to move me, that happens. I have no control over any of that. I just focus on what I can do to improve and help my team."
Fitzgerald is certainly not assuming that he will be a Cardinal for his entire career. The receiver is a franchise's all-time leader in receptions (796), yards receiving (10,835) and receiving touchdowns (81). The veteran understands the business and the Cardinals could trade him to a team that would put Fitzgerald in play to win a Super Bowl with the right situation.
Arizona is likely not winning a championship anytime soon. Last year, the team filtered through four different quarterbacks, allowing Fitzgerald to muster up a mere 798 yards on 71 catches. That snapped his long-time stream of at least 1,000 yards receiving a season. This year has not looked much better. Carson Palmer is struggling with consistency and Fitzgerald has been dealing with hamstring injuries. So far this year, he has just 470 yards on 36 catches.
Fitzgerald's father says that his son loves Arizona and is not looking for a deal.
"He likes living in Arizona and playing for the Cardinals," the elder Fitzgerald said. "As long as that's the case, he's going to do his job. That's what he does."
Several teams will be looking for a wide receiver come the offseason. The New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens could all be in play for Fitzgerald in 2014.