When Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill hired G.M. Steve Keim and coach Bruce Arians, no one expected them to face so much adversity due to injury -- or to have so much success with a collection of next men up.
Next year, they also could be dealing with a salary-cap problem.
Receiver Larry Fitzgerald has a cap number of $23.6 million for 2015. It’s widely believed he’ll be cut. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, he won’t be.
He could be traded, he could restructure his deal, or he could elect to negotiate an extension. But he won’t be released -- even if it means carrying $23.6 million in cap space.
Few players other than quarterbacks have cap numbers even approaching $20 million. For Fitzgerald, who remains a solid player but no longer dominant, that’s a huge commitment. The Cardinals are willing to make it, if necessary.