The Arizona Cardinals may look at a Larry Fitzgerald trade after the season and teams like the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks and Niners all could be interested in making a move for the receiver, as he is due big money in the future and could be moved by the Cards to help save some money.
Fitzgerald is one of the best receivers in the NFL and he has been paid that way and that is one reason why he could be gone next season. Fitzgerald has been very productive in his career for the Cardinals, but at 31 years old he is starting to get over the hill and he has not been over 1000 yards in each of the past three seasons. According to the Arizona Republic, a move is going to be made on Fitzgerald, whether it be a trade or a restructuring of his contract, as he is worth $23.6 million on the salary cap next season.
While the Cardinals respect Fitzgerald greatly, they cannot deal with a 31 year old receiver with declining numbers taking up nearly 20 percent of the cap (the number is 17 according to Rotoworld). The report from the Republic says that the team is "not" releasing Fitzgerald, which means they will either work out a deal or a trade could happen. Fitzgerald previously signed an eight-year, $128.5 million contract with the team, but with the emergence of Michael Floyd and John Brown, Fitzgerald has become more of a move the chains receiver for Bruce Arians.
Earlier in the season ESPN beat reported John Weinfuss wrote about the possibility of Fitzgerald being traded, writing that the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs would be potential fits. He also mentioned the Denver Broncos, as they have gotten so-so production from Wes Welker and the fact that they have Demaryius Thomas set to be a free agent. While they likely will keep Thomas, there is a chance he could leave. Weinfuss also wrote that since the Cardinals have over 10 players hitting free agency, they will need to free up money to keep some of them and that could come from Fitzgerald's cap space.
Fitzgerald is having a solid season for the Cardinals with 61 catches for 755 yards and two TDs, but he is not the playmaker he once was. Last season he had 10 TDs while playing with Carson Palmer, but this year Palmer and Drew Stanton have dealt with injuries and now he has the lowest totals of scores in his career if the number holds over Week 17. Fitzgerald has not been over 1000 yards since 2011 and he has not gone over 90 receptions since 2009. Fitzgerald is durable and had not missed a game in six seasons before sitting out this year, but the team can't justify that much money on the cap again.
The Eagles may lose Jeremy Maclin after getting rid of DeSean Jackson and could make a move, while the Patriots don't have a legit number one receiver and could also make a play for him. The Seahawks got rid of Percy Harvin and could look at their division rivals for a new wideout. The Broncos are also possible and that was one option that Weinfuss looked at earlier in the year.
