ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians: Larry Fitzgerald can still be a big part of offense

Jan 5, 2015, 9:26 PM | Updated: Jan 6, 2015, 4:30 pm

Presented By...

LISTEN: Bruce Arians- Cardinals head coach

As soon as the Arizona Cardinals’ playoff loss at the Carolina Panthers on Saturday was complete, speculation about the future of wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald ramped up.

Last month, general manager Steve Keim said he wants Fitzgerald to retire a Cardinal. But the 11-year pro may prove to be unaffordable, as he’s set to count $23.6 million against the salary cap in the 2015 season.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said the 31-year-old can still be an important part of the offense.

“I love Larry. I think he brings a ton to the table, a lot of energy and a lot of leadership. The more we have success offensively, the more balls there are to go around. But to think of him of the days 10 years ago with 120 catches and all that, I’m sure those days are gone,” Arians told Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Monday.

“Eighty catches and a big part of the offense? Yeah, he’s still a big part of that.”

After posting five consecutive 80-catch, 1,000-plus-yard seasons from 2007-11, Fitzgerald’s numbers have taken a dive from 2012-14. He’s averaging 72 catches for 845 yards per season during that span.

This season, Fitzgerald missed action for the first time since 2007 when a knee injury sidelined him for two games in late November. He hauled in just 63 catches for 784 yards and two touchdowns in the 2014 regular season.

Arians credited Fitzgerald with playing at a high level until the knee injury, but he guessed Fitzgerald was just 70 to 80 percent healthy thereafter.

“He was playing really, really well until he hurt that knee,” he said.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

2 days ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

3 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians: Larry Fitzgerald can still be a big part of offense