Larry Fitzgerald on NFL future: 'I just don't have the urge to play right now'
Larry Fitzgerald has finally said something pertinent about his football future.
The longtime wide receiver for the Cardinals said on his new SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio Show that he has no immediate plans to return for an 18th NFL season with Arizona. But he also wouldn’t rule out possibly returning at some point this year.
“For now, I’ll be a radio broadcaster,” Fitzgerald said Friday on “Let’s Go” with Jim Gray. “To be honest with you, I just don’t have the urge to play right now. I don’t know how I’ll feel in September, October, November moving forward, but as of today I just don’t have the urge.
“I think I have to be respectful of that. Football is not one of those games you want to walk out there and play and not be fully engaged and ready to prepare and do the things necessary that you need to do.”
Fitzgerald, who turns 38 on Aug. 31, remains an unsigned restricted free agent. An 11-time Pro Bowl selection, he stands second behind Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time list for receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492).
On Thursday, Cardinals general manger Steve Keim told The Republic that if Fitzgerald wants to play another season for the team, all he has to do is call.
“Every year it hasn’t been any different,” Keim said. “Larry represents himself and he and I will sit down and talk, and I’ve always told him, ‘Let me know what you want to do.’ That’s the kind of respect that he certainly deserves. Like (coach) Kliff (Kingsbury) said, the ball’s in his court. It’s truly up to him.
“He knows if he wants to be a Cardinal he can be a Cardinal. But at the same time, you don’t go tell Larry Fitzgerald or give him ultimatums. We’ve got too much respect for him to do that. If he wants to play, I know he’ll let us know he wants to play.”