The clock is ticking for Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals. The franchise wide receiver has spent his entire career in Glendale, but that could be coming to an end as the offseason approaches. The Cardinals have officially been eliminated from the playoffs after losing to the Carolina Panthers in the wild card game and now the focus falls on Fitzgerald and his large contract that Arizona simply cannot handle even more. As the team prepares to try and keep the wide receiver for the remainder of his career, does Fitzgerald have other plans?
According to Fitzgerald, all he can think about at the moment is the loss suffered over the weekend. The wide receiver attempted to downplay all talk about his future, insisting that he loves Arizona and the franchise while being upset over the early playoff exit.
"The taste of defeat is the only thing I can think about right now. It's all that's on my mind. It's been a great season competing with these fellas and this coaching staff," Fitzgerald said, via the Arizona Republic. "I love Arizona, I love the Cardinals, I love the city. I couldn't be more appreciative of the opportunity to live my dream and compete in the NFL."
Fitzgerald will be a $23.6 million salary cap hit in 2015. As an aging wide receiver, that is a heavy price tag. The Cardinals have said they have no intentions of releasing Fitzgerald to the open market due to his contract, but they are aware they cannot afford to keep the deal on the payroll. The possibilities for Fitzgerald have been limited to a trade, a pay cut or a restructured contract. According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the ball is in Fitzgerald's court when it comes to his future. The wide receiver must determine just how much he is willing to the help the franchise and their future and at what price that will be.
Prior to the wild card playoff game, FOX Sports reported that Fitzgerald was under the impression that he would not be back in Arizona come 2015 either due to a trade or release. However, the wide receiver has denied that crossing his mind at any point during the year.
"It has not crossed my mind," Fitzgerald said, via FOX Sports. "I'm in the midst of an opportunity that doesn't come too often, so all my energy and everything is focused on helping my team win.
Plain and simple, if Fitzgerald does not take a pay cut, he will be released and there are several teams that will be lining up for his services. The San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are just a few contending teams that would like a big No. 1 like the veteran. Time will tell if they get their shot at acquiring him.