Trotter: Fitzgerald still undecided on playing

“Money talks in these situations and Larry Fitzgerald is a true business man”

Those were some of the recent comments made by NFL reporter Jim Trotter when discussing whether or not Cardinal legend Larry Fitzgerald plans to play football in 2021.

Trotter’s comments give us a brief outlook as to what’s currently happening with Fitzgerald’s camp. It also emphasizes, at lease to the public, that the Cardinal front office would welcome back Larry Legend should he opt to return.

As of now, via OverTheCap, Arizona has roughly $11 million dollars in available cap space. While that number would have previously sufficed as Fitz’s salary for a single season, the Cardinals are in a position in which they’ll need available dollars in the coming weeks.

The team has yet to acquire a true pass catching tight end, and any significant addition (regardless of position) would likely cost them some of that $11 million dollar figure. They could always default any signing dollars to their 2022 cap, however.

There’s also the ongoing situation with current hold out Chandler Jones.

All in this to say, if anyone breaks the news on Fitz’s return, you can bet it’ll be Trotter. The more interesting dynamic, at this point, is what the Cardinals will opt to pay Fitz in conjunction with what his role on the team may be.

Remember that Arizona has acquired two starting caliber wide receivers this off season in A.J. Green and Rondale Moore. If Fitzgerald is saddled as a 5th or 6th receiver, that label usually comes with special team requirements.

His return would also likely signify the end for either Andy Isabella or KeeSean Johnson as a redbird.

This is certainly a fluid situation that is worth watching, especially with camp right around the corner.