With Steve Wilks in place as their head coach, the Cardinals front office now must turn their attention to their roster for 2018.
Quarterback Carson Palmer has retired and with no heir-apparent on the current roster the team will have to either enter the free agent market or the NFL Draft as they seek his replacement. There is also that question of whether or not star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will return.
Fitzgerald has been one of the NFL’s premier players since entering the league in 2004. His 109 receptions last season were second only to Jarvis Landry’s 112. Despite critics continuing to question him due to his age, Fitzgerald has topped 100 receptions and 1,000 yards in each of the last three seasons. That’s three more times than Dez Bryant.
Having Fitzgerald back for 2018 would be a huge asset for whoever the Cardinals select to be their quarterback to start the season.
Of course having Fitzgerald back may be more dependent on who is throwing the ball according to the team’s official website.
“It’s all predicated on who’s throwing the ball. I can’t do my job at the level you want to do it if you don’t have somebody there that can consistently get it to you,” said Fitzgerald. “I’ve had some years in Arizona where things weren’t always easy, but they’ve always done a good job of addressing that position, and they’re trying to.”
Appearing on NFL Network for Super Bowl coverage, Fitzgerald was asked by Rich Eisen how close he was to making a decision for 2018.
And @richeisen just asked Fitzgerald who said things need to happen with personnel first. Rich follows up by asking if he means a QB. Fitz pretty much confirms but then says, “I’ll be ready in a week or two.” So there’s all that.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 4, 2018
Already the Cardinals have missed out on Alex Smith and the asking price for Kirk Cousins may simply be too much for the team to take on. There are some remaining options for the 2018 season but the players with the most upside appear to be in the draft.
