The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to extend the contracts of both Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald.
“Clearly these are two core members of our team who have played major roles in our success,” general manager Steve Keim said in a statement, per Darren Urban of azcardinals.com.
Carson Palmer’s contract was extended by one year, worth $24.35 million with a $6.75 million signing bonus. The deal guarantees that Palmer will be a member of the Arizona Cardinals through 2018. Larry Fitzgerald’s extension is for one year and it is worth $11 million.
Cardinals gave 1-year extensions to Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald, tying QB to AZ through 2018 and WR through 2017, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2016
Arizona Cardinals Extend Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald
Carson Palmer is coming off an MVP caliber season in which he threw for 35 touchdowns with 11 interceptions and set a new franchise record for passing yards with 4,671.
The extension also highlights what head coach Bruce Arians thinks of his veteran quarterback. After the NFC Championship Game, Arians defended his quarterback, saying “there’s no doubt in my mind, he’ll come back with more vengeance than before the injury,” per Dan Bickley of The Arizona Republic.
Future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He set a personal record for receptions with 109, topped the 1,000 yards plateau for the first time since 2011, and added nine touchdowns.
Palmer turns 37 in December and Fitzgerald turns 33 on August 31st. Despite their age, the two veterans are core members of the favorite team to win the Super Bowl, according to the annual Sports Illustrated Power Rankings.
The contract extensions will ease the retirement talk surrounding the two veteran players. Larry Fitzgerald hinted at life after football last month when he talked to NFL Network. He added that he had “a lot of good football left.”
These contract extensions will also help create some cap space for next off-season for the Cardinals.
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