The Arizona Cardinals began training camp today without legendary wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. He still hasn’t made a decision on whether he’ll return to the NFL this year.
The Cardinals have left the door open for his return. To this point, he has consistently said that he is still weighing his options. Fitzgerald had a reduced role in last year’s offense, catching 54 passes for 409 yards and a score.
His decision probably won’t make of break the Cardinals on the field. The team acquired DeAndre Hopkins, one of the absolute best wide receivers in the NFL, last season. Christian Kirk has also emerged as a secondary option, and the team signed A.J. Green, who is looking to relaunch his career after a few injury-addled seasons. The team has interesting young receivers as well, including Rondale Moore and Andy Isabella.
“The ball’s in his court,” head coach Kliff Kingsbury said, when asked about Fitzgerald’s status. “We feel like we got great depth in that group regardless. We’ll have a plan here either way.”
Asked about Larry Fitzgerald playing an 18th season, Kingsbury says no answer yet. Adds that “the ball is in his court…he’s earned that.”
— Paul Calvisi (@PaulCalvisi) July 27, 2021
“I haven’t decided anything,” Fitzgerald told ESPN earlier this month. “Training camp starts in a few weeks. I’m excited, it’s going to be another great year for the NFL.”
Larry Fitzgerald, the greatest player in Arizona Cardinals history, has certainly earned the right to decide when he’s done playing, as Kingsbury said. The 37-year old is a three-time All-Pro, an 11-time Pro Bowler, and led the NFL in receptions and receiving touchdowns two times each. For his career, he has 1,432 catches for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while playing with a very up-and-down group of quarterbacks.
The Cardinals should have a very fun offense this year either way, but it would be cool to see him get one last go-around in it.
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