Michael Bidwill: Goal is to have Darnell Dockett retire an Arizona Cardinal

Larry Fitzgerald and Darnell Dockett joined the NFL as part of the same 2004 draft class.

Neither has played for any team other than the Arizona Cardinals, and each has experienced a good amount of success in the league.

However, their respective contracts led to this offseason being an interesting one for both, as their deals were going to have to be restructured if the players were to continue their careers in Arizona.

Last week, the team and Fitzgerald agreed on a deal that will keep the receiver in town for at least another two years.

From there, Cardinals GM Steve Keim said the next step was to work out something with Dockett, who missed the entire 2014 season after tearing his ACL in training camp.

He is slated to make $9.5 million in 2015 with a cap hit of $9.8 million.

“It’s our hope, same thing, we love Darnell,” Cardinals president Michael Bidwill told Doug and Wolf Tuesday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “We drafted him in the same class as Fitz; I’d love to have him retire as a Cardinal, I think that’s what he needs to do is stay in a Cardinal uniform and we’re looking forward to working with him to restructure his deal.

“It’ll free up some cap space so we can be out there, being aggressive and building a team and getting a ring on his finger.”

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Dockett ranks seventh in franchise history for career sacks with 40.5.

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