Report: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals Begin ‘Preliminary’ Contract Talks

Larry Fitzgerald might end up on another NFL team next season, but he’s still giving his current squad a chance.

Fitzgerald’s agent and the Arizona Cardinals have begun “preliminary, yet positive” contract talks, sources told Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic on Saturday.

Reports surfaced shortly after the Cardinals’ loss to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC wild-card round that the team would ask Fitzgerald to take a pay cut to stay in Arizona. The 31-year-old is signed through 2018 but is expected to cost the Cardinals $23.6 million against the cap next season, and Arizona is hoping to restructure his deal.

Fitzgerald also is due an $8 million bonus if he’s still on the team March 17. If the Cardinals release or trade him before that date, the team will save $9.2 million in cap space.

The receiver’s agent and the Cardinals have yet to discuss money, according to Somers.

Arizona general manager Steve Keim has insisted that the team won’t release the eight-time Pro Bowler, but a subsequent report claimed that Fitzgerald doesn’t expect to be on the Cardinals next season.

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