Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals 'going to get into it' with contract talks 'in the coming weeks'

Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald was doing media rounds representing a company he endorses. He was on ESPN's NFL Live and also on NFL Total Access. Yes, he was asked about his contract situation and the likelihood he returns to play for the Cardinals in 2015.

Here is what he said on NFL Live (via AZCardinals.com)

"This is the only place I have ever played," Fitzgerald said Tuesday afternoon. "I have enjoyed my time in Arizona. Working for the Bidwill family has been great, playing for the Cardinals. Hopefully we can get something done. The business part of football is not something I always enjoy, but it's something we need to address."

When he was on Total Access, his responses were similar.

"I don't know," he said when asked about what the likelihood is he is a Cardinal in 2015. "We're going to get into it here within the next coming weeks and try to figure something out.

"Its been a great run here. I really appreciate everything the Bidwell fam has done for me giving me a chance to live my dream. Playing for coach Arians has been great. Hopefully we can hash something out and move on from there."

The question becomes whether he is willing to take less actual money or not. His cap hit is going to be $23.6 million. He  is due $16.25 million in actual money -- $8 million in salary, an $8 million roster bonus and a $250,000 workout bonus.

No matter what the Cardinals do with his contract, there will be some carryover that will go against the cap. No matter what, there will be a $2.35 million balance from his restructure bonus. There will be a $3 million hit for the option bonus he got in 2012. There will be a $2 million balance from his signing bonus received when he signed his new deal in 2011. So there is already more than $7 million that will already be there, no matter what the Cards and Fitz do to bring the cap number down.

Say they make his actual money $12 million this year -- a four-year contract with a bonus of $10 million and a salary of $2 million. His cap number in 2015 would go down to a little more than $11 million. If there is no other big bonus due, then the future cap numbers should be more manageable.

Of course, there is still the question of how happy he is with his role in the offense.

I have gone back and forth on whether or not I think he will stay or go. The interviews made me think no. Other things make me think he will stay.

In either case, we're going to hear a lot about it until something happens.