The Arizona Cardinals may look at a Larry Fitzgerald trade this season at the NFL trading deadline and the New England Patriots have continued to come up as a potential destination and this comes after the team cut a Tom Brady favorite in Kenbrell Thompkins last week and that could lead to a major move for the Pats, although it's very unlikely at this time.
Fitzgerald has been off to a slow start this season and with the Cardinals having QB issues, there is a chance they could make a move since he has a very large contract. According to ESPN.com, the Patriots could be an option for the Cardinals, as Tom Brady and the offense has been up and down this season passing the ball. While it would seem like an odd move considering the Pats aren't huge spenders, there is always a chance they step up if Fitzgerald is put on the trading block.
It seems like a move is inevitable, as Fitzgerald is one of the top WRs in the league, but he has not been getting targeted nearly as much as usual. While part of that is due to the QB injuries, it also is due to the emergence of Michael Floyd, who many see as the WR1 in waiting.
Fitzgerald has not been himself this season and now he is hurting a bit in his hamstring and that could be a tough injury to deal with for the Cardinals. The team plays against the Niners this week and if he can't go for that game, the Thursday night matchup is next for the team in Week 7. The Cardinals already have issues with Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton injured and if Fitzgerald goes down, the season could turn into a nightmare.
The Cardinals started off 3-0 and now they have lost to the Broncos following a bye week and now they have the Washington Redskins in Week 6. Fitzgerald has not been having the season many expected from the star, as he has just 13 catches in four games this season with 164 yards, some of the lowest numbers of his career. The past two seasons he has been in decline, or the Cards QBs have, as he has been under 1000 yards in the past two years after doing it in five straight seasons.
Fitz has only had three catches in each of the past two games and that equaled his total from Week 2 against the Giants, his best game of the season. Fitzgerald is as good as anyone when healthy, but playing with subpar QBs could get him out of Arizona at his price tag. Obviously trades in the NFL are rare compared to other sports, but here is a spot where both sides could find what they need, as the Cards have been hit with injuries everywhere.
The Patriots bounced back from their terrible performance on Monday night football, so there is a chance the urgency isn't there for a move now. Brady isn't getting any younger and while he can still play at a high level, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola are not superstars and they could use an influx of talent. Aaron Dobson has potential and Rob Gronkowski is Gronk, but the team needs more to go all the way and now Fitzgerald could be that option.