Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald sign Arizona Cardinals extensions
Friday 5 August 2016 22:39, UK
Quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald have signed one-year contract extensions with the Arizona Cardinals.
Fitzgerald, 33, had been expected to retire at the end of the 2016 season when his contract was due to expire, while 36-year-old Palmer is now tied to the franchise until at least 2018.
The deals come hard on the heels of an extension signed by Tyrann Mathieu, one of the leading safeties in the NFL.
Despite their advancing years in league terms, Palmer and Fitzgerald had close to their best years in 2015 as the Cardinals won the NFC West title and progressed to the NFC Championship Game.
Fitzgerald set a career high with 109 catches for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns while Palmer had 35 touchdown passes and only 11 interceptions, also setting a team record with 4,671 yards passing.
"Clearly these are two core members of our team who have played major roles in our success," GM Steve Keim said.
"Each of them had contracts that were due to expire in the next year or two so these extensions provide a measure of certainty and clarity for the players and organisation, both now and in the years ahead.
"It also reaffirms our long-stated intention that when the time comes, these two great players end their stellar careers as Cardinals."
