Congratulations to Larry-Fitzgerald.com for breaking the NFL news of the day (via PFT), which is that Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals have agreed on a contract extension. From Larry-Fitzgerald.com:
The Arizona Cardinals have reached a contract agreement with All- Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Pending NFL approval. The 24 year old Fitzgerald, who helped the Cardinals to a 8-8 record in 2007 their best in ten years will remain with the Cardinals after signing a four-year contract extent ion.
The two-time Pro Bowl star said, "I'm very happy with this my intent was to stay with the Cardinals, I'm grateful that we were able to get this done."
Fitzgerald's site says he will get $33 million over the next three years, and that $30 million of that is guaranteed. Although that's a phenomenal contract by the standards of most players, I actually think he and his agent should have driven a harder bargain than that.
Fitzgerald was scheduled to earn $31 million over the next two seasons and then become a free agent while still in his prime. That money wasn't guaranteed, but the Cardinals appeared set to pay all of it. So by taking $33 million for three years and $30 million guaranteed, Fitzgerald has given the Cardinals a good deal.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-11-2008 @ 1:19PM
Trogdor said...
I totally agree. According to a report this morning (I believe it was John Clayton), the Cardinals were so completely screwed cap-wise, they wouldn't even be able to fill out their roster without renegotiating a few deals or cutting someone (Warner, probably). The implication was that the signed players had all the leverage, and someone like Fitzgerald could've really held them to the fire. Instead, he signs what amounts to a 1-year, $2m extension? Something doesn't seem right.
Is there some kind of player opt-out clause after year 2, wherein the guaranteed money would still be paid and he'd become a free agent anyway? That would allow them to spread his current deal out over three years instead of two, saving them a couple million on the cap this year (and causing dead space later). Unless there's something silly like that, or unless they genuinely thought the Cardinals would cut him and he wouldn't get a payday anywhere near this, it seems like a really bad deal for Fitzgerald.
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3-11-2008 @ 4:58PM
LB said...
They would have cut him and resigned him for less. Who do you really think would have signed him for 17 million a year when Moss only makes 10 million? So he got more guaranteed money. People also think he did it for the team so he gets good PR and no locker room problems and the fans will love him.
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3-13-2008 @ 3:46PM
Buvi Duvi said...
Thank you for over paying for an overrated player! The Seahawks love you guys down there in Arizona. Your so cute when you try! =]! GO HAWKS!!!
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