Larry Fitzgerald is taking his time on a possible return to the NFL -- if the Arizona Cardinals legend chooses to return at all. Fitzgerald has not announced a decision to return to the Cardinals for the 2021 season, and taking the year off at this stage of the game seems like a possibility.
"To be honest with you, I just don't feel the urge to play," Fitzgerald told Jim Gray on Sirius XM NFL Radio Friday via ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "I don't know how I'll feel going forward in September, October, November, but I just don't have the urge, right now, I have."
If Fitzgerald, who turns 38 later this month, returns to the Cardinals, it will be his 18th season with the team. Fitzgerald is coming off a career-low 54 catches for 409 yards and a touchdown in 2020 - as his 7.6 yards per reception was the lowest of his Hall of Fame career. Fitzgerald also leveled at a career-low level in 13 matches he played last season.
The Cardinals have plenty of options if Fitzgerald decides not to return. Arizona already has Christian Kirk and DeAndre Hopkins, and AJ. Green in free agency, along with selecting Rondell Moore in the second round of this year's draft. There may be no place for Fitzgerald to get significant game time, but having Fitzgerald on the Cardinals is better than not having it for a team with NFC West title aspirations.
Fitzgerald has caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns with the Cardinals in his Hall of Fame career. He is second only to Jerry Rice in receptions and receiving yards and sixth all-time in receiving touchdowns. Fitzgerald holds 24 NFL records and 40 franchise records, recording himself as one of the greatest players in NFL history.
Perhaps making Arizona a potential playoff run will change Fitzgerald's mind in a few months, but for the time being, he doesn't have the urge. If Fitzgerald decides to retire in the coming months, he will go down as one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history.