It would be a match made in Patriots heaven, but would also mean Cardinals purgatory.
NFL Trade Rumors reported about a series of tweets involving the New England Patriots interest in Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald as far back as the 2013 preseason, according to a tweet by CSN New England's Tom Curran:
"Individual just told me Pats were interested in dealing for Larry Fitzgerald last offseason. And this person I believe without reservation (.)"
The NFL.com's Ian Rappaport came back with a tweet from the Arizona Cardinals' perspective:
"... First the Cardinals have heard of this."
In October, ESPN.com's Adam Schefter did write that Fitzgerald's salary cap number would balloon in the 2014 season, making at least some explorations into a trade feasible. He said the Cardinals would save $8 million by trading him because his cap figure would be at $18 million in 2014.
The Cardinals finished a surprising 10-6 in coach Bruce Arians' first year with the club in 2013, and a trade of one of the game's best wide receivers would seem inconceivable.
However, Fitzgerald will turn 31 in August, and the clock is starting to wind down on his eventual Hall of Fame career. As close as he thinks he may be with the Cardinals to winning a championship, NFL experts would agree that a union with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady would give him a much better chance.
The Patriots need to do something to give Brady more weapons, especially with the uncertainty concerning tight end Rob Gronkowski's future because of multiple injuries. Brady signed a three-year deal last offseason with New England worth just $27 million so that the team could go out and sign a playmaker (or at least retain Wes Welker).
The Patriots did neither, but still should have some flexibility and clout in dealing with Fitzgerald. As nice a turnaround the Cardinals had last season, they still didn't make the playoffs, they play in the toughest division in football in the NFC West and nobody will ever mistake quarterback Carson Palmer for Brady.
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