Calming the fears of Arizona Cardinals fans everywhere, Larry Fitzgerald has decided to return the Cardinals for the 2017 season. Next season will be the last year of his current contract with Arizona but his 14th year in the desert.
Following a very disappointing 2016 season for Arizona, Fitzgerald's future was uncertain, but the announcement was made Wednesday night that he would be back. Jim Trotter of ESPN broke the news when he tweeted, "Just spoke to Larry Fitzgerald, who said he's definitely returning in 2017 to play the final year of his contract."
Fitzgerald would soon confirm Trotter's tweet by sending out a tweet of his own simply saying, "#BirdGang #BeRedSeeRed." He also spoke with NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport saying, "Some things that were killing me late in the year are feeling back to normal for me.
That's a relief. Also, my fire and desire to win and compete vs. the best still burns."
The veteran can still play
It's not a surprise that Fitzgerald is returning. Despite being 33-years-old, he can still perform at the high level that NFL fans have come to expect of him. In 2016, Fitzgerald finished first overall in catches with 107. More importantly, though, Fitzgerald wants to win a championship. He and the Cardinals have come close. It was just last season that the Cardinals found themselves in the NFC Championship game only to be eliminated by the Carolina Panthers. In 2008, Arizona was one defensive stop away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Looking to the future
Arizona severely underperformed in 2016 missing the playoffs altogether, but Arizona still has the talent and ability to find themselves right back in the hunt for a Super Bowl next season and Fitzgerald is an important piece for the team in that quest.
As for Arizona's quarterback Carson Palmer, there still has been no announcement on that front. Despite that, Fitzgerald's decision to return is pretty good indicator what Palmer's decision will be.
If the team is going to contend, they're going to need Palmer back as the quarterback depth for the Cardinals is severely lacking. Free agency is just around the corner so expect a Palmer decision to come soon.
