Not so long ago, Larry Fitzgerald was out-running Troy Polamalu and company to the end zone for what looked like a Super Bowl clinching touchdown reception for his Arizona Cardinals. Thanks to Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes, that wasn’t quite the case.
Several years later, the thought of Fitzgerald running past AFC North defensive backs sounds quite intriguing doesn’t it? Based on what I’ve heard, Fitzgerald might want to come back to the Steel City and finish his career with the Steelers.
First things first however; this can happen only if the Steelers want to make it happen and if Fitzgerald is willing to work for relatively small potatoes.
Right now, the Cards owe Fitzgerald an $8 million roster bonus if he is on the active roster on the fifth day after the new league year begins. March 10th is the official first day of the 2015 NFL calendar if you’re scoring at home.
While the roster bonus is impressive, Fitzgerald would also count over $23 million against the Cardinals’ salary cap for 2015 and there’s no way that’s going to happen. Arizona Team President Michael Bidwell believes Fitzgerald “will be back” but there’s a lot of work to be done.
So let’s say a deal doesn’t get done. Fitzgerald’s numbers were down across the board in 2014 but much of that was due to guys like Drew Stanton and Ryan Lindley trying to throw him the ball. Is he still a legitimate outside threat? Maybe, but he’s still a threat period and that’s what matters.
Fitzgerald has reportedly made over $110 million in his career and played his college ball at Pitt so perhaps money isn’t the be-all end-all most think it would be. Factor in the case that he has trained in the offseason with Ben Roethlisberger and is an amazing person off the field and you have a somewhat legitimate shot he finishes his career in Pittsburgh.
With two young receivers coming along in Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant and the defense in need of serious upgrades, perhaps this is a pipe dream.
Then again, this is the offseason and this is the time of year where we dream out loud isn’t it?
photo courtesy rantsports.com
Your right but we as fans call all dream right? We can all dream. Is it a longshot probably but lets say it does happen and there is no guarantee it will but if he does where does line up at? You can’t give him Bryant’s spot cause then your saying to him “We don’t feel your ready to be a No.2 WR and Larry is taking your spot’ would you like to be the guy who tells that to Bryant? I know I wouldn’t. If its to take Wheaton’s spot I would listen but I doubt he will come here but then again adding him to the Steelers WR Core and look out folks cause there isn’t any way you can double any of those WR’s but like I said before it’s just a dream and until he signs a deal here then this topic is irrelevant.
I respect your opinion Vittorio but this time of year any topic is on the table. I don’t think Fitz would come in as anything other than a #2 at best. I was told that he’s happy with the money he’s made and just wants to win. AZ has improved but the QB play is killing him. As I said, it’s a pipe dream but worth thinking about based on what I’ve heard.
Well I can understand that but what are you going to tell Bryant if it does happen? Would you like to be the guy who tells Bryant “Your being moved to the No.3 WR spot so that Fitzgerald can play your spot” I know if the Steelers get him it’s great but this teams problems lie on Defense rather the Offense but it doesn’t hurt to have another Skilled WR.
Of course I would tell Bryant that!! Ummm… look… perhaps the greatest receiver, and certainly one of the top in the game, who is still fairly young and in excellent shape is coming here… you are bumped back. Fitz is an incredible receiver. Watching him for the past 8 years in Phoenix has been amazing.
it may be that Ben will be joining Fitz and BA in Arizona, if Colbert dosn’t get serious and give Ben his big contract…anything can happen, or so it seems
I’ve seen a couple of people say this.
If Ben’s contract situation drags on, we may see some mud-slinging back and forth between Ben’s people and the Steelers’ side… but a deal will get done. Ben’s said over and over he wants to retire in Pittsburgh.
I understand that he may change his mind but he’s not getting out easily or anytime soon… The Steelers could fit his current 18 mil cap hit in this season, and then franchise tag him in 2016. Yes, that tag would be a HUGE number, but he’ll probably be making the average of the top 5 paid QB’s anyway (if not more) on an extension.
If it all came to that (and I don’t think it will), the Steelers would then be in a position to trade Ben and get a gameplan in place for the future of the team at QB.
You don’t trade a QB like Ben Roethlisberger unless you’re stupid. Once he’s gone you could be looking at 15 years of misery, so we certainly don’t want to see that happen.
Say it ain’t so, Fitz. Stay here in Arizona. You’re the “champ” around here!
I’m born & raised in AZ but I’m a true die hard SteelerNation fan & would to see Fitz in Pitt, even tho I coach Markus Wheaton threw HIS Pop Warner career & Fitz will more then likely cut some of HIS time & passes out, I still would like that move!…WE really need to be worried about OUR defense, WE can’t get of the field on 3 downs & gav up way to many 3 & longs, there wasn’t enough pass pressure nor sacks this year, WE need the Steel curtain back like ASAP!…#letsgogetnumber7fellas!…
Well duh the D needs to be fixed but it’s not that simple. Finding players is one thing but finding a way for them to contribute is another. If Fitz came here then you make the Offense much more potent but once they sign Ben and some other internal Free Agents there probably won’t be enough money for Fitz to come here.
Unless he can play corner, it ain’t happening.
We would love to have Fitzgerald on the Seahawks roster next year. With the receivers we have, he could come in and be their number one option.
Steelers TAKE HIM. I love FITZ, but he’s past his prime (Without Warner or another premier passer) and just aint worth the dough bro. So, Yes, let him go, or stay and be REAL WITH THE CARDS ON his true value, not some INFLATED BEYOND BELIEF FIGURE like $23 million? Really? So, if he wants to stay, YO YES DO IT, if not Hasta la vista baby, and don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. What a way to thank an organization that already gave you 110 Million. RIGHT LARRY. I’m sure Jesus would love you too, in Boston.
imagine having brown,miller,bell,and adding fitz in the receiving corps along with bringing wheaton and Bryant in and out ,it would be a QB wet dream,but I do think they need to worry about defense,its going to be a very tough schedule next season by playing 11 teams with winning records,so we need to worry about any weaknesses first