Vikings

Larry Fitzgerald Is Still An Option For the Vikings

Photo Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn (USA TODAY Sports)

There are certain topics that seem to be on a never-ending repeat cycle with the Minnesota Vikings. No matter the year or the team, fans find themselves discussing the offensive line, the kicking situation, and the Kirk Cousins contract.

It may not be the top of the list, but another topic has made a run at prominence in recent years. The third wide receiver spot. Despite having one of the league’s best duos for years, the Vikings have been unable to put anything better than Jarius Wright next to their two stud targets.

Maybe the fan base was spoiled two decades ago. Having Jake Reed, a legitimate No. 2, catching passes behind Cris Carter and Randy Moss is enough to give anyone unrealistic expectations. Yet for a team that seems to be on the brink of contending, it feels unacceptable to float through season after season without an answer in what is becoming an intensely pass-heavy league.

This year is again no different. Despite the recent signing of Dede Westbrook, there doesn’t appear to be a clear-cut answer at No. 3.

  • People are enthusiastic about Westbrook, but he is coming off an injury and there’s no guarantee he’s ready to contribute at a high level.
  • Bisi Johnson, who has filled the role in the past, is out for the season with an ACL injury.
  • Ihmir Smith-Marsette seems to be able to talk the talk, and by all reports is a sponge in camp. But there’s no guarantee he’s even close to ready for the sort of workload that would be expected.
  • Chad Beebe, a player who many hung their hopes on as a third receiver of the future has had injury trouble of his own.
  • K.J. Osborn, a player whose bandwagon is quickly filling up at camp still needs to prove that he can actually perform when the bright lights come on.

If none of these options have you jumping out of your seat, buckle up. Because as a true Minnesotan, this next one surely will. At the end of an article about Chad Beebe’s quest to become WR3, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio dropped this little nugget:

The chips could still fall in the shape of a homecoming for Minnesota native Larry Fitzgerald. A ball boy for the 1998 Vikings, Fitzgerald could be taking a wait-and-see approach as to whether the team will put a legitimate contender on the field in 2021. Until he officially retires or signs with another team, it’s a possibility that can’t be completely dismissed.

That’s the dream. Minnesota boy done good comes home to finish his career with the purple.

We have discussed this topic over and over and over for months. Many assumed Fitzgerald was going to retire. But if the most obvious answer is usually the right answer, it’s easy to believe that he won’t. There is no reason to drag a retirement announcement out this long. The only reason to wait this long is to avoid training camp and see where your services could best be utilized on a contender.

Additionally, Fitzgerald recently agreed to co-host a weekly podcast with Tom Brady.

According to SI.com:

SiriusXM will air Let’s Go!, an exclusive weekly national show with five-time NFL Super Bowl MVP champion quarterback Tom Brady and All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The one-hour show will feature back-to-back, in-depth conversations with Brady and Fitzgerald, conducted by Hall of Fame Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Jim Gray.

Now could Fitzgerald retire and still do this? Absolutely. But given the format of the show, it would make no sense if Fitzgerald wasn’t playing.

It’s my belief that Fitzgerald will absolutely be on a football field this year and is just waiting and weighing his options. Minnesota has done everything it can to assemble a team and make a run at a Super Bowl. Yes, those non stop questions remain. But they can cross one off the list if Larry winds up in Minnesota. He is absolutely still an option and Vikings fans should keep their eyes on his situation.

Vikings
Harrison Smith Has Become Minnesota’s Lone Survivor
By Kaleb Medhanie - Mar 27, 2024
Vikings
Andrew Van Ginkel Brings Versatility and Energy To Minnesota’s Defense
By Matt Fries - Mar 27, 2024
Vikings

Malik Mustapha Is the Perfect Mid-Rounder To Bolster Minnesota's Safety Depth

Photo Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn (USA TODAY Sports)

The Minnesota Vikings have done a good job of patching holes in their defense this offseason. The additions of Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman […]

Continue Reading