Deal Ended Up Falling Apart After Two Sides Had Agreed To Compensation

Published on August 20th, 2024 8:27 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


Larry Fitzgerald was simply too good.

Following the completion of the 2007 NFL season, 24 year-old Larry Fitzgerald had established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the league.

Fitzgerald posted 1,409 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2007, which were the exact same numbers that he posted in the 2005 season.

Fitzgerald had triggered a number of incentive clauses in his contract heading into the final year of his rookie deal.

The Cardinals were having salary cap issues and had to consider the seemingly unthinkable - trading their young superstar wide receiver.

The Philadelphia Eagles wanted a top WR to pair with Donovan McNabb and were ready, willing and able to complete a deal for Fitzgerald.

They'd be able to handle the final year of Fitzgerald's rookie contract, incentives included, plus they'd be able to give him a big extension.

The two sides worked out the compensation involved - in exchange for Fitzgerald, the Eagles would give up their first and third round picks in the 2008 NFL Draft.

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The deal for Fitzgerald ended up falling apart for whatever reason.

Fitzgerald would stay with the Cardinals for his entire career, racking up 1,432 receptions, 17,492 receiving yards and 121 receiving touchdowns.

The Eagles would end up trading away their first round pick to Carolina for second and fourth round picks in the 2008 Draft, as well as the Panthers first round pick in 2009.

The Eagles got their wide receiver in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, as they took Desean Jackson, who would electrify with the Eagles for a number of years.

The Cardinals would figure out their money issues in 2008, and eventually awarded Fitzgerald a 3 year, $25.4 million contract with just over $17 million in guaranteed money.