By: Drew Feinberg

Larry Fitzgerald is a living, breathing first-ballot Hall of Famer. Since being selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2004 NFL Draft, he has amassed 17,492 career receiving yards, which ranks second in NFL history, behind the legend, Jerry Rice (22,895).

Among holding several other NFL records, Fitzgerald is regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time. His consistent, technical play has led him to 11 Pro Bowls, and nine 1,000-yard seasons. Now at the age of 37, the future of Fitzgerald is being questioned.

If you were to ask Fitzgerald about the thought of retirement today, however, chances are you wouldn’t get the answer you were looking for; or any answer for that matter.

The thought of signing a soon-to-be 38 year old may not be on the top of some fans’ free agency wish lists, but the idea of having Fitzgerald in your locker room goes far beyond the hash marks. Known for being one of the hardest workers in the entire league, Fitzgerald would bring an immediate veteran presence to any team he is on. The two questions that remain, however, are: will Fitzgerald retire? And will a team be willing to take a chance on an aging superstar?

The answer to the retirement question can only be answered by one person: Fitzgerald himself. You can tell that he still has a passion for the game, and the guy can still hold his own in this league. However, the addition of star receiver DeAndre Hopkins in 2020 led to a down year for Fitzgerald, where he posted: 

• 72 Targets
• 54 Receptions
• 409 Yards
• 1 Touchdown

2020 was the first season in which Fitzgerald finished with less than 100+ targets. That being said, Fitzgerald is only three years removed from his last 1000-yard season, and I believe he can still contribute to a team in need of his services. Here are three teams that should look to sign Fitzgerald, barring a retirement announcement.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a bit of a cap space struggle going into the 2021 NFL offseason. With roughly $22 million to spend, and many key pieces to re-sign, including wide receiver Chris Godwin, the idea of Fitzgerald signing on to catch passes from Tom Brady seems far-fetched.

However, what I wouldn’t count out is the fact that the Bucs are Super Bowl favorites going into the 2021 NFL season, and Fitzgerald has never won the illustrious Lombardi Trophy.

I’m not saying that Fitzgerald needs to win the Super Bowl in order to cement his legacy, because that would just be false; the man would be a first ballot Hall of Famer even if he retired five years ago. However, the thought of finishing his career with a Super Bowl victory might just be what entices Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians to bring Fitzgerald aboard (Arians coached Fitzgerald in Arizona from 2013-2017).

Currently, Mike Evans is the only wide receiver worth noting on the Buccaneers books, with Antonio Brown and Godwin entering 2021 as unrestricted free agents. My guess is that Godwin will be re-signed, leaving Brown’s role pretty much open. If Fitzgerald wants his chance at securing a Super Bowl ring, his best shot may just be down in Tampa Bay.

Minnesota Vikings

Having been born and raised in Minnesota, the Minnesota Vikings have always been a highly-rumored destination for “Larry Legend” to finish off his historic career. 

With the “Randy Moss-esk” emergence of rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson during the 2020 season, the Minnesota Vikings will look to continue their strong receiver play with the pair of Jefferson and Adam Thielin in 2021.

However, this team could desperately use a number three receiver. Even in a run heavy offense, such as Minnesotas, wielding Olabisi Johnson and Chad Beebe to compliment your two star receivers is not a recipe for success. 

Minnesota doesn’t need a superstar to be their third receiver next season. The one thing that the Vikings complimentary receivers lack is consistency, and that one thing that you are sure to get out of Fitzgerald is consistency.

Even if his consistent production has taken a slight decline, Fitzgerald’s ability to break tackles and gain yards after the catch (YAC) cannot be understated. Oh, and he is one of, if not the most reliable third down receiver the game has ever seen. 

Due to his age and production in a contract year, I could imagine that Fitzgerald would be willing to sign a one year, one to two million dollar contract, which could help the cap-struggling franchise who just recently cut veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph. It would make for a nice ending to a legendary career.

Arizona Cardinals

If it were up to Fitzgerald, I believe he would want to finish his career exactly where it started. He is the greatest Arizona Cardinal to ever play in the uniform, and his impact on and off the field cannot be talked about enough. He is a Cardinals icon, and he knows it.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals are now in an extremely tough position going into the 2021 offseason. While I’m sure owner Michael Bidwill and general manager Steve Keim would love to bring the legend back, the Cardinals team has many other glaring weaknesses. Not to mention, the team just signed star defensive end J.J. Watt to a two-year, $31 million contract.

It was clear in 2020 that there was a new alpha in town (Hopkins), but Fitzgerald could still be that rock steady player for quarterback Kyler Murray to turn to on short yardage situations. If Fitz were to want to come back to Arizona, he would surely have to take a massive pay cut. Will he do that, however?

While a return to Arizona may be out of the cards for Fitzgerald as a player, this would be the storybook ending to the storied career of Fizgerald, and the way I think we all thought he would go out. One last ride in the red and white is the way the Larry Fitzgerald chapter deserves to end.

The post 3 Potential Landing Spots For Larry Fitzgerald: A Return to Arizona? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Adam Martin

One area that a lot of teams need some help in this off season is at tight end. With the cap space issues that most teams are facing you its important to find some cheap options. Currently there is a ex pro bowler who is a reliable pair of hands and is cheap to pick up. His name is Tyler Eifert and he is available at around $3m a year. The Jaguars decided not to pick up his 2021 option and so here are a few teams that would be a good fit for Tyler Eifert.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are famous for bringing in players on a cheap deal. With Eifert currently being valued at around $3m a year, he would make an ideal candidate for them. The tight end has been a problem for New England since Rob Gronkowski left. When you look at their depth chart they don’t have anything special at the tight end position.

Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene are their main guys and both didn’t feature much in their rookie years. Asiasi only had seven targets and Keene had five. They may get Matt Lacoste back after his opt out for this season but he was never amazing and hasn’t played for a year. Eifert might not be an amazing tight end but he is a better option than all of these guys.

The Patriots currently have $68m worth of cap space so $3m would be a drop in the ocean. Eifert showed last year that he is still relevant during his time in Jacksonville. He managed to amass 349 yards from 36 receptions and also hauled in two touchdowns. Everything about Eifert makes him a Patriots target as he is reliable with safe hands and cheap.

Verdict : Everything about Tyler Eifert screams the New England Patriots. He is experienced, has safe hands and is cheap. The Patriots need a tight end and Eifert could be the guy.

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are a team that could be in need of a tight end. Currently they have three on their roster but that is likely to change. Jack Doyle, Trey Burton and Mo Alie-Cox all had last year to make themselves a permanent feature. However, none of them did great and only Alie-Cox is likely to be around. Burton is a free agent and Doyle will not cost much to release after another disappointing year. With that in mind, it stands to reason they will want to bring in another tight end.

Another reason they will want a tight end is that new QB Carson Wentz uses tight ends well. One of his most productive partnerships in Philadelphia was with Zack Ertz. He also did well with Dallas Goedert and so it’s vital the Colts have more than one tight end.

Another reason for bringing in Eifert is that he is not expensive but the Colts have the money available to them. They currently have just over $50m worth of cap space and so signing Eifert would not be a problem. Also, given his cheap rate, it means they can still improve in other areas as well. Although Eifert is 31 at the start of next season he still has a few years left and the Colts are in a win-now window.

Verdict : The Colts are a team who like to use their tight ends and they need to bring one in. They have plenty of money available and they can offer the chance of making it to the playoffs and beyond.

Washington Football Team

The Washington Football Team showed last year that they can make a tight end relevant. Logan Thomas amassed 670 yards and six touchdowns to finish as the number seven tight end for the season. The main reason that Washington is a big candidate for Tyler Eifert is that Thomas is the only tight end on the team. Jeremy Sprinkle has shown bits but he hasn’t been great and he is now a free agent. It would be surprising if they bought him back.

Washington is another team where the money isn’t an issue for them this year. They currently have around $42m of cap space and they will be looking to beef up their offense this off-season. The defense is already looking very strong but if they want to retain the NFC East then they need to spend. Eifert is not going to make a massive difference to the team but he is a quality depth piece at a cheap price.

Verdict : Washington are another team who have got a chance of winning their division and making the playoffs. They have the money and need the depth at tight end.

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are a team that was close to making the playoffs last year finishing with an 8-8 record. One of the reasons they didn’t make it to the playoffs is a lack of depth in the team. One area they are very short is at a tight end and so Tyler Eifert would become a decent acquisition.

Currently, the Cardinals have tight ends on the roster but only Dan Arnold has shown anything. Arnold was decent last year receiving 438 yards and four touchdowns but he is now a free agent. The rest of the tight ends in Arizona have done very little. Even if Arnold was to come back Eifert would still be a good choice to provide some quality backup.

The Cardinals have got enough money to make the move as they have $17m worth of cap space. Eifert will only cost around $3m a year and will be an experienced head to have on the team. The only reason that this move might not happen is if they feel they need to spend the money elsewhere. However, you have to feel that Eifert would be up for this move as they could become playoff contenders.

Verdict : Arizona could make it to the playoffs which would be attractive to Eifert. They are a bit tight on money but they can make it happen. Also, with Dan Arnold as a free agent they need to bring in a tight end quickly.

The post Top Fits for Tyler Eifert appeared first on Pro Football Mania.