Clearly the Arizona Cardinals were in a giving mood this week.
Just days after reaching a new deal with safety Tyrann Mathieu the club announced Friday they had reached contract extensions with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald through the 2017 season and quarterback Carson Palmer through 2018.
Considered by man the three “faces of the franchise” all get locked up more than a week before the NFC West Champions open their pre-season slate.
Friday’s moves were a no-brainer for General Manager Steve Keim who has sculpted arguably the most talented roster in the NFL.
“Clearly these are two core members of our team who have played major roles in our success,” Keim said in a statement released by the team early Friday afternoon. “Each of them had contracts that were due to expire in the next year or two so these extensions provide a measure of certainty and clarity for the players and organization, both now and in the years ahead. It also reaffirms our long-stated intention that when the time comes, these two great players end their stellar careers as Cardinals.”
The 32-year-old Fitzgerald is coming off his best year as a pro setting a single-season franchise record with 109 catches for 1,125 yards and nine touchdowns. Only legendary Jerry Rice (13) has more Pro Bowl appearances for a wide receiver than “Fitz” (nine).
Palmer’s 2015 season, in many ways, mirrored his favorite target. The 36-year-old set single-season franchise records in passing yards (4,671), touchdown passes (35) and passer rating (104.6). He’s 29-9 as a starter in Arizona, including 19-3 over the past two seasons.
