All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald won’t retire from the NFL and will return to the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.
New Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks said on an Arizona sports radio program Thursday that Fitzgerald informed him of his decision to come back.
Larry Fitzgerald WILL play in 2018. That news comes via @AZCardinals coach Steve Wilks, who revealed the news this morning on @azsports after talking to Fitz. Important piece of the offense – obviously.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) February 15, 2018
Fitzgerald, an 11-time Pro Bowl selection, is third all-time in NFL history in career receptions (1,234) and receiving yards (15,545). He is the active leader in both categories and could move into second all-time with one strong season. Catching 92 more passes would move Fitzgerald past tight end Tony Gonzalez and gaining just 390 more yards would push him past Terrell Owens.
But Fitzgerald will be 35 next season, and had to decide whether he wanted to return to a team not only introducing a new coach, but also implementing a new starting quarterback in light of the retirement of Carson Palmer. The Cardinals may choose to draft a top quarterback prospect or pursue Kirk Cousins.
The multi-talented Fitzgerald recently became the first African-American to win the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, as well.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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