Possible Destinations For Larry Fitzgerald
The biggest question surrounding the Arizona Cardinals this offseason is the future of their receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald is scheduled to have a cap hit of $23.6 million for the upcoming season, a number which isn’t sustainable for a receiver who will turn 32 years old in August. Despite that, general manager Steve Keim and team president Michael Bidwill seem intent on keeping Fitz in a Cardinals uniform for the long haul.
There are two ways that the Cardinals could do that. They can do it by renegotiating Fitzgerald’s contract, which they did last offseason, or they can just give him a whole new deal that’s more team friendly.
Of course, there’s a chance that the two sides can’t come to any sort of agreement and both parties move on. Even with putting some of the worst numbers of his career in 2014, Fitzgerald would still be a hot commodity on the free agent market.
Here are a few teams which would make the most sense for Fitzgerald to go to.
Feb 4, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick waves to the crowd during the Super Bowl XLIX-New England Patriots Parade. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots
The Patriots have been one of the top teams rumored to be interested in Fitz if he does indeed become available. It makes sense on several fronts.
If Fitzgerald wants to win that Super Bowl ring he’s been longing for, there’s no option better than the defending champs. New England could use another receiver across from Julian Edelman. Brandon LaFell is okay, but he doesn’t exactly put fear in opposing team’s secondaries.
Fitz would also give him the chance to play with the great Tom Brady. With the load of crap he’s had to deal with at the position over recent years, that might be the most attractive thing about the Pats for him.
Dec 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) smiles after the game against the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium. The Minnesota Vikings win 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings
Fitzgerald’s connections to the Vikings has been well documented. He was the Vikings ball boy back when Dennis Green was their head coach and he holds his football camp with fellow players in the Minnesota area. Oh yeah, his very opinionated dad has been a long-time writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder as well.
The receiver going there makes sense from a football perspective too. The Vikes will probably be able to pay Fitz a good amount being that they have about $18 million under the salary cap. He could be a perfect mentor Cordarrelle Patterson as well and an upgrade over Greg Jennings.
Minnesota’s roster is improving and they appear to have a real good young quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, but they aren’t quite ready to be a championship contender, which could hurt their chances.
Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano during the third quarter against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are on the verge of being a contender year in and year out for the next decade. The only problem for them is they have the Patriots in their way in the AFC.
They have all the pieces that you want to be a championship contender. Indy has the best young quarterback in the game in Andrew Luck, some real nice pieces for him to throw to on offense and a defense which continues to improve. The Colts will also have a ton of money to spend this summer as well.
All of those things have to make the Colts a top option for Fitzgerald. Plus, Indianapolis is pretty close to where his dad lives and his yearly camp resides.