Josh Weinfuss, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Larry Fitzgerald: Decision on future 'shortly after' Cardinals hire coach

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Who the Arizona Cardinals hire as their next head coach could be the difference between wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald playing in 2018 or retiring.

In Orlando, Florida, for the Diamond Resorts Invitational golf tournament, Fitzgerald told the Golf Channel on Friday he’ll decide on his football future after a coach is hired.

“I don’t have a head coach right now so, I mean, there’s a lot going on,” the 34-year-old said. “I’m going to take some time, figure it out. Our owner and president Michael Bidwill and general manager Steve Keim are out right now interviewing head coaches.

“So, I’m interested to see what’s going to happen. I’ll make a decision shortly after, I would imagine.”

Fitzgerald’s comments support what former Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said earlier this week during a radio interview with the Rich Eisen Show. Arians said Fitzgerald would come back for the “right coach.”

If Fitzgerald returns to the Cardinals for the 2018 season -- his 15th in the NFL -- he’d be without Arians and quarterback Carson Palmer, who announced their retirements Jan. 1 and Jan. 2, respectively.

The Cardinals have interviewed eight candidates for their vacant head-coaching job: Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and linebackers coach Brian Flores, Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak, Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher and Falcons special-teams coach Keith Armstrong.

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