Arizona Cardinals Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On Larry Fitzgerald’s Plans

February 4th, 2018 at 6:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Larry Fitzgerald plans to decide about returning for a 15th season this month.

Despite the Cardinals potentially not knowing what quarterbacks are going to be on the roster until possibly the draft, the 34-year-old said he intends to let his team know “in a week or so” (Twitter link, via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).

The future Hall of Fame wideout added he’s “excited about what the future holds,” and he’s confident in Steve Keim acquiring the right pieces to help the Cardinals re-emerge as a contender.

“I’m contemplating it, absolutely,” Fitzgerald said, regarding a return for 2018, during an NFL Network appearance (via ESPN). “I’m excited about what the future holds. Obviously there’s some things that need to happen in terms of personnel, draft and things like that to help our team improve,” he said. “but I’m confident that [general manager] Steve Keim and his group are going to do a good job with that.”

Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert are free agents as well for the Cardinals, who are expected to be in the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes. Although, Arizona’s cap situation is not as friendly as the other teams expected to vie for Cousins.

Regardless, Fitzgerald committing to come back in February would not give him much intel about the offense he would be coming back to. The former Pitt dynamo did, however, commit to returning last season on February 1, so he appears to be operating on a similar timeline. Palmer, though, was in the picture at that point.

Fitzgerald signed a one-year, $11MM extension for 2018 and stands to carry a $15.85MM cap number. So, it would help the Cardinals — projected to have just $8.7MM in cap space — to know if their top receiver was returning for planning purposes.

Cardinals Better Off Avoiding Cousins Chase?

February 3rd, 2018 at 3:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

With less than $10MM in current projected cap space, the Cardinals would have to rearrange their payroll more than any other top suitor to chase Cousins. And after back-to-back playoff absences, Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap writes the Cards’ realistic contention window is likely closed with this nucleus. He adds that even if the Cardinals are committed to keeping this core together for another run at a 2015-like season, Sam Bradford or another bridge quarterback would make more sense than a long-term Cousins commitment.

Adrian Peterson Wants To Play For Another Four Or Five Seasons

February 3rd, 2018 at 12:32pm CST by Ben Levine

There were rumblings that the Cardinals would ultimately cut Peterson, but the 32-year-old doesn’t sound overly concerned about his status in 2018.

Peterson split last season between the Saints and Cardinals. After an underwhelming start in New Orleans, Peterson ultimately started six games for Arizona, compiling 448 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 129 carries.

[SOURCE LINK]

Larry Fitzgerald Would Only Play For Cardinals

February 1st, 2018 at 9:36am CST by Zachary Links

Larry Fitzgerald is pondering his future in the NFL, but there’s no question about where he wants to play, according to his father. Larry Fitzgerald Sr. says that his son is only interested in playing for the Cardinals.

“There’s no chance,” Fitzgerald Sr. told Gil Brandt and Alex Marvez of SiriusXM. “This will be it. If it’s not with the Cardinals, we’ve seen the last of Larry Fitzgerald in the National Football League wearing No. 11.”

Still, it’s not clear when Fitzgerald will make the call on playing versus retiring. At the moment, the 34-year-old (35 in August) has a lot to digest between the team’s hiring of Steve Wilks as head coach and the retirement of Carson Palmer, which leaves the team without a clear successor at quarterback. If Fitzgerald decides to move forward with the new-look Cardinals, there’s already a contract in place thanks to his one-year, $11MM extension signed in November.

Fitzgerald has plenty of incentive to return to football, including his pursuit of a Super Bowl ring and his own personal place in the record books. With another 92 catches and 390 receiving yards, he’ll bypass Tony Gonzalez and Terrell Owens for second all-time on the NFL’s receptions and receiving yards list, respectively.

2018 Proven Performance Escalators

January 31st, 2018 at 10:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

According to the NFL’s contractual bargaining agreement, players drafted in rounds three though seven are entitled to raises during the fourth year of their respective rookie contracts. The pay bumps are tied to playing time — a player must have played in 35% of his team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons, or averaged 35% playing time cumulatively during that period.

If one of these thresholds is met, the player’s salary is elevated to the level of that year’s lowest restricted free agent tender — that figure should be around $1.908MM in 2018. Players selected in the first or second round, undrafted free agents, and kickers/punters are ineligible for the proven performance escalator.

Here are the players who will see their salary rise in 2018 courtesy of the proven performance escalator:

49ers: Trent Brown, T; Eli Harold, LB

Bears: Adrian Amos, S

Bengals: Tyler Kroft, TE; Josh Shaw, DB

Bills: John Miller, G

Broncos: Max Garcia, G; Trevor Siemian, QB

Browns: Duke Johnson, RB

Buccaneers: Kwon Alexander, LB

Cardinals: David Johnson, RB; J.J. Nelson, WR

Chargers: Kyle Emanuel, LB

Chiefs: Chris Conley, WR; Steven Nelson, CB

Colts: Henry Anderson, DE; Mark Glowinski, G; Denzelle Good, OL

Dolphins: Bobby McCain, CB

Eagles: Jay Ajayi, RB; Jordan Hicks, LB

Falcons: Grady Jarrett, DT

Jaguars: A.J. Cann, OL

Lions: Quandre Diggs, CB

Packers: Jake Ryan, LB

Panthers: Daryl Williams, T

Patriots: Trey Flowers, DE; Shaq Mason, G

Raiders: Clive Walford, TE

Rams: Jamon Brown, G

Ravens: Za’Darius Smith, LB

Redskins: T.J. Clemmings, OL; Jamison Crowder, WR

Saints: Tyeler Davison, DT

Seahawks: Tyler Lockett, WR

Steelers: Jesse James, TE

Vikings: Stefon Diggs, WR; Danielle Hunter, DE

OverTheCap.com was essential in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cardinals Expected To Cut Adrian Peterson

January 31st, 2018 at 5:12pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cardinals are expected to release veteran running back Adrian Peterson this offseason, according to Mike Jurecki of ArizonaSports.com.

Arizona acquired Peterson from the Saints in October for the price of a 2018 sixth-round pick, and installed him as its starting running back in the absence of superstar David Johnson. Peterson, who will turn 33 years old in March, managed 3.5 yards per carry on 129 rushes and scored twice in the desert. However, he was among the least effective backs in the league: Football Outsiders ranked Peterson 46th among 47 running backs in both DYAR and DVOA, metrics which measure overall and per-play value, respectively.

With Johnson expected back from injury in 2018, Peterson wouldn’t have been handling many carries, which makes his $2.881MM cap charge relatively untenable. The Cardinals’ new coaching staff may have also played a role in Peterson’s ouster, as former head coach Bruce Arians had said the future Hall of Famer would be part of Arizona’s 2018 plans. However, new head coach Steve Wilks and new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy may have had other ideas, and presumably believe they can find a cheaper — or more effective — backup running back.

Peterson has already stated that he intends to continue his career in 2018, so he’ll be looking for work after he hits the free agent market. While it may be a bit early to speculate on potential destinations, the Patriots, Seahawks, and Giants all expressed interest in Peterson before he signed with New Orleans last year. Additionally, the Ravens reportedly discussed trading for Peterson before the Saints shipped him to Arizona.

Cardinals Had Interest In Alex Smith

January 31st, 2018 at 9:52am CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals were among a handful of teams interested in trading for Alex Smith, Kent Somers of AZCentral Sports tweets. However, the Chiefs wound up trading the quarterback to the Redskins on Tuesday night in a deal that netted them cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round draft choice.

It’s no surprise that the Cardinals expressed interest in Smith given their own murky quarterback situation. In the wake of Carson Palmer‘s retirement, the Cardinals have zero quarterbacks under contract with Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert, and Matt Barkley all scheduled for unrestricted free agency.

Smith is now off the table for Arizona, but the trade means that Kirk Cousins will be in play for the Cardinals and other QB-needy teams. Even if Arizona can’t clear enough cap room to put themselves in the mix for Cousins, that could be good news for the Cardinals. If another team in need of a QB like the Browns (picking at No. 4 in the draft), Broncos (No. 4) or the Jets (No. 6) signs Cousins, it will open up possibilities for the Cardinals, who own the 15th overall pick.

Al Holcomb To Call Defensive Plays

January 30th, 2018 at 1:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Steve Wilks will not be calling plays and running the Cardinals‘ game-day operations this season, with Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (on Twitter) revealing new DC Al Holcomb will call plays. This will be new territory for Holcomb, the Panthers’ linebackers coach the past five years.
The Cardinals’ running backs coach during Emmitt Smith‘s farewell season in 2004, Kirby Wilson is close to a deal to return to the desert. Alex Marvez of the Sporting News reports Wilson interviewed for the job and is considered a strong candidate to again fill that role. Wilson coached Arizona’s backs from 2004-06 before moving on. He spent the past two seasons as the Browns’ run-game coordinator. Wilson’s coached seven teams’ running backs, dating back to 1997. One of Wilson’s stops was in Minnesota, where he oversaw Adrian Peterson‘s third rushing championship season in 2015.

Extra Points: Fitzgerald, Talib, Titans, Jets

January 29th, 2018 at 10:04pm CST by Micah Powell

Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald has yet to make his intentions for the 2018 season public knowledge, but signs are point toward the future Hall of Famer returning for his 15th NFL campaign.

New offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said he has talked with Fitzgerald and that the receiver is “excited,” reports ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. Fitzgerald reportedly told the new offensive coordinator is verbiage was similar to previous coaches Bruce Arians and Ken Whisenhunt.

Kurt Warner also said that he gets the sense that Fitzgerald is leaning toward returning, the Hall of Fame quarterback said on 98.7 Arizona Sports radio. “Last couple of times I’ve talked, I really feel like he wants to come back and play this season and he’s more committed to it. But that was before all the changes that took place.But I get the feeling that he is going to come back.”

Fitzgerald hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down in recent years. After moving to the slot in 2015, the perennial Pro Bowl selection has cleared 100 catches and 1,000 yards in each season and has cemented his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Though he is leaning toward returning, his status is sure to be decided by what the Cardinals do to fill the vacancy at quarterback left by the retirement of Carson Palmer. With plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, the team making a run at Redskins signal-caller Kirk Cousins for a quick fix would make plenty of sense.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

Speaking of Cousins, the soon-to-be free agent is expected to receive plenty of interest from the Jets. On Monday, former head coach Mike Shanahan praised Cousins as a special player, the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta writes. This portends to the Jets, as new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates was groomed under Shanahan in Denver. Shanahan said: “I think Kirk Cousins could be successful in any offense that he ran. Those quarterbacks are hard to find.”
The Broncos, according to reports, have recently placed cornerback Aqib Talib on the trade block. ABC 7 in Denver’s Troy Renck looked at a few possible destinations for the veteran cornerback, listing the 49ers, Rams and Cowboys. Talib is signed through the 2019 campaign.
Bills center Eric Wood put his retirement on hold and remains on the Bills roster due to the team’s salary cap restrictions, ESPN’s Mike Rodak reports (Twitter link). When he is eventually moved to the retired list, Wood will receive $4.8 MM in injury guaranteed salary for 2018, while keeping the $4.3M in signing bonus paid, tweets NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Titans have hired Raiders wide receivers coach Rob Moore for the same position, ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets. He also notes the team interviewed former Raiders running backs coach Bernie Parmalee last week.
The Panthers will hire Travelle Wharton as an assistant offensive line coach, ESPN’s David Newton hears. Wharton previously spent two stints with the Panthers as an offensive lineman.

Latest On Giants’ Pat Shurmur Hire

January 28th, 2018 at 7:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

A difference between how Pat Shurmur approached his Giants interview helped land him the job. The former Vikings OC conducted his Giants meeting in a fashion that left no doubt the Giants were his first choice, which is something, per Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv, team management couldn’t see in Josh McDaniels or Matt Patricia.

While Vacchiano reports some in the Giants’ organization preferred the two Patriots coordinators to Shurmur “until the very end,” he notes Shurmur left “by far” the strongest first impression on the Giants of the candidates summoned. One of the reasons management was sold on Shurmur was his desire to land the Giants’ job was far more evident than the other finalists’. Vacchiano writes McDaniels appeared to be more interested in the Colts’ job because of Andrew Luck‘s presence, and Patricia’s Lions connection turned out to be very real.

Multiple sources informed Vacchiano that Shurmur was at one point viewed as the favorite in Arizona and that his personality would work better there, but the former Browns coach, per the Giants, was intent on securing the New York job.

Shurmur’s interview, one John Mara ranked as arguably the best he’s seen, resulted in him edging the New England assistants after they’d been viewed as previous favorites. Shurmur also made the strongest connection with Dave Gettleman of the six candidates interviewed, which is interesting given Steve Wilks‘ history with the new Giants GM. Vacchiano notes Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin did not see eye to eye on key components of the team in their final years together, with a specific disagreement involving the team’s offensive line approach, and adds Mara appeared to indicate Reese and Ben McAdoo weren’t meshing as well as they’d hoped to.

Mara indicated a head coach/GM partnership was critical here, and Shurmur — who made a point of saying how much stock he places in repairing the Giants’ offensive front — appears to be in stride with Gettleman at this point.

Mara previously said he wanted a head coach with previous experience leading a team, and Vacchiano reports Shurmur was “much more willing” to accept his wrongdoings from his first job (with the 2011-12 Browns) than McDaniels (fired midway through his second Broncos season in 2010) was. Shurmur made clear he will hire an offensive coordinator, identifying that as a mistake from his first Cleveland campaign. The Giants ultimately ruled out Wilks because of his lack of experience.

Shurmur also spoke with Eli Manning on the phone on Wednesday from the Senior Bowl and then sat down with the franchise passer in the Giants’ cafeteria on Friday, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports. Considering Gettleman’s praise for Manning, and what Shurmur offered about the quarterback’s future at his press conference, it’s starting to look like a strong bet he will be back in New York for his age-37 season.

Schwartz writes Shurmur’s approach with Manning differs from Coughlin’s with Kerry Collins, whom the Giants replaced with Manning in 2004. Coughlin ignored Collins when they saw each other at the facility during the months his and Collins’ tenures overlapped in ’04, Schwartz recalls.

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