MySportsRumors.com

Rumor has it that the Arizona Cardinals are going to do whatever it takes to keep WR Larry Fitzgerald. So much so, that they have offered Fitzgerald a contract that would make him the richest wide receiver in the history of the NFL. Now Cardinals fans don’t worry Fitzgerald is NOT a free agent so the team is in no danger of losing him just yet. What’s wrong is the team has no salary cap maneuverability to make any significant moves this off-season. Fitzgerald will count almost $14 million himself against this years cap, so the team would like to renegotiate his deal. Due to his performance his cap hit would be $14.6 mil in 2008 and $17.35 mil in 2009.

A top player who receives an acceptable offer “has to become vested in the future of the football team,” team GM Rod Graves said. “In many cases, we’ve seen examples of players willing to take restructured deals. They’re willing to do something that ensures the progress of the team in terms of talent building. That’s what I expect our players to do.”

The team is looking to lock Fitzgerald long-term to the term of 6 years, and the deal would once again make him the most expensive wide receiver in league history. His numbers back up that kind of offer, last year he had 100 catches for 1409 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his brief 4 year career he’s already caught 330 balls for over 4500 yards and 34 touchdowns. Now Fitzgerald is looking for a 4-year deal that would let him become a free agent at the age of 28. If you think he’ll be the highest paid ever now, wait till age 28 if he hits the market he’d be in his prime then and he knows he’d get paid more.

For the future success of the Cardinals, the team needs Fitzgerald to restructure his deal. The team has various holes that need to be filled for them to be a truly competitive and playoff caliber team. No one player can take up that much of your cap, especially at a position like wide receiver. Those are top flight QB numbers that he’ll be making the next couple years. I think Fitzgerald would be wise to take the 6-year offer that makes him insanely rich, cause if he does decide to wait a couple years and hit free agency who knows if he’ll get paid that much. One injury in the NFL, and you’re done. Take the money and run, and maybe get yourself a playoff berth.

Click here to discuss in the MySportsRumors.com forums