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Larry Fitzgerald Puts off Retirement to Return to Cardinals for 15th NFL Season

Rob Goldberg@TheRobGoldbergX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistFebruary 15, 2018

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Despite considering retirement, Larry Fitzgerald will return for his 15th season with the Arizona Cardinals.

Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks told the Doug & Wolf Show on 98.7 FM that Fitzgerald informed him he will return to the team next season.

The 34-year-old receiver will continue his career as one of the most productive players in NFL history. He has 11 Pro Bowl appearances and currently ranks third all-time in both receptions (1,234) and yards (15,545), leading all active players in each category.

He also ranks eighth with 110 receiving touchdowns. 

While he signed an extension through 2018 in November, he couldn't commit to playing out the deal.

"I don't know," he said when asked about possible retirement in December, per Darren Urban of the team's official site. "I'm going to take some time, figure it out. I'll let you know though."

After thinking through his options, the veteran has decided to return to the field for at least another season.

This move makes a lot of sense considering his recent success even this late in his career. He has earned Pro Bowl bids while topping 100 catches and 1,000 yards in each of the last three seasons, finishing 2017 with 109 receptions and 1,156 yards for six scores.

Although there are question marks about the Cardinals after missing the playoffs for the second straight year, Fitzgerald is at least one constant the organization can rely upon in 2018. Adding in quality receivers J.J. Nelson and Jaron Brown, the position is relatively set going forward.

Now Arizona can fill its other needs to return to contention in the NFC West.