Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald recently said he can still play at a high level. So is it possible for him to generate significant numbers?
“No, it’s not possible,” Fitzgerald told Burns & Gambo of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM in Phoenix. “And it’s only that reason, because of the role that I play. It’s a different role. I just don’t have the opportunities down the field. I’m more inside, I move the chains a lot more. So in terms of putting up the big numbers, it will be difficult. But in terms of my effectiveness, of providing first downs, being able to make tough catches for my team, I’m still going to be able to do that.”
Fitzgerald nevertheless accepts his current role. “I won’t complain,” Fitzgerald said, explaining that he still makes a good living. “I’m happy to have a job and do something I really enjoy doing.”
He said he’s actually “more of a complete player now,” because he now blocks and runs intermediate routes.
“I can run all the routes at any position,” Fitzgerald said.
The question becomes whether, after the 2016 season, he’ll run a route out of Arizona. His current contract pays him $11 million guaranteed in each of the next two years, and then he’ll be a free agent after that, at the age of 33.