Yahoo Lifestyle Cardinals announce Larry Fitzgerald returning for 2020 season
The greatest player in Arizona Cardinals history isn’t ready to retire yet.
Just a couple of weeks after the end of the regular season, after saying he’d take some time to think about his future, the Cardinals announced on Wednesday morning that Larry Fitzgerald has signed a one-year contract to play a 17th season in the NFL and with the team.
Which should make head coach Kliff Kingsbury happy. Asked what his pitch to Fitzgerald would be, Kingsbury said simply, “Please come back.”
Face of the franchise
In most cities, the quarterback is the face of the franchise. Kyler Murray may be that someday, but for now, Phoenix belongs to Fitz.
The third overall pick in the 2004 draft, he’s stuck with the team through some incredibly lean times, and had to work with some quarterbacks who could generously be described as mediocre.
In 250 regular season games, Fitzgerald has totaled 1,378 catches for 17,083 yards and 120 touchdowns. He is second only to Jerry Rice — who played an incredible 303 games — in receptions and yards. He’s an 11-time Pro Bowler, a three-time Associated Press All-Pro (one first-team and two second-team nods), and was the 2016 NFL Water Payton Man of the Year.
In 2019, Fitzgerald once again started all 16 games, with a team-high 75 catches for 804 yards and four touchdowns.
“This season was among the most fun of my career,” Fitzgerald said in a tweet. “The future is so bright for this team & I relish the opportunity to build with this talented young nucleus.
“Arizona is where I started and where I will finish. 2020! Let’s get to work!”
And props to the Cardinals’ social media team for this great short video accompanying the news:
— Arizona Cardinals ⋈ (@AZCardinals) January 15, 2020
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