NFL Rumors: Did Oakland Raiders Miss A Chance To Get Larry Fitzgerald?
The Oakland Raiders were in need of another receiver, and the Arizona Cardinals are looking to rebuild. This offseason, both teams had their arms extended but they somehow avoided one another. According to Ian Wharton of Bleacher Report, the Raiders could have sent draft picks to the Cardinals for Larry Fitzgerald. What a move like this would have given the Raiders the best receiving core in the NFL.
Wharton says that since the Cardinals missed out on Kirk Cousins and are basically strapped for cash, trading away Fitzgerald would remedy one of their problems. Moving Fitzgerald will shed $16.9 million off their cap and all they were willing to take back were picks.
[MarkAds]Last season, Fitzgerald caught 104 passes for 1,156 yards and six touchdowns and did so at the age of 34. With the Oakland Raiders having already signed Jordy Nelson after letting Michael Crabtree go, the Raiders seem invested in veteran players to pair with Amari Cooper and Derek Carr. The issue that may have halted any trade is Fitzgerald not wanting to leave Arizona.
Did Raiders Miss Their Chance At Larry Fitzgerald?
Wharton believed a deal could’ve been done if the Raiders had offered to swap this year’s picks, plus give the Cardinals a fourth and sixth-round pick to sweeten the deal. While losing Fitzgerald would have been a huge blow to the Cardinals, they will have a legit chance to rebuild through the draft.
While the Cardinals did indeed get who they hope is their QB of the future, Josh Rosen could only have one year with Fitzgerald. But what if Rosen struggles and the Cards succumb to the pressure of trying to catch the Rams and 49ers? What Fitzgerald has to look forward to is Sam Bradford. Why put himself through that when he could’ve had Derek Carr?
Fitzgerald is the last of his kind when it comes to loyalty in sports. But him wanting to stay with the Cardinals may prove to be a terrible decision. The Oakland Raiders were the perfect ending to his career.
[BXReporter]
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
