Post-NFL Draft 2011, Arizona Cardinals confident Larry Fitzgerald will sign extension.

Exactly four weeks ago today, Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals failed to come to terms on a contract extension before the league’s collective bargaining agreement expired.

Exactly three weeks ago today, Larry Fitzgerald told everybody not to worry.

From Ian Begley, ESPN:

“[Fitzgerald] said on Wednesday that he is ‘absolutely’ hopeful that he can work out an extension with the Cardinals. Fitzgerald said ‘progress was being made’ in contract talks between his agent and the Cardinals before the end of the NFL’s business calendar on March 3.

It seems like Arizona is doing everything it can to keep Fitzgerald. League sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter last month that the Cardinals solicited Fitzgerald’s advice on which quarterback the club should trade for or sign.

Fitzgerald was asked on Wednesday if there was anything that would sway his decision to stay in Arizona.

‘If the Cardinals cut me or if they feel like they want to trade me,’ Fitzgerald said at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan during an appearance at the EAS Unstoppable Tour. ‘I don’t have a choice at that point. I’d have to go try to find other employment.’”

That’s encouraging. So short of a Herschel Walker-type deal or a last minute play to advance Andre Robert to the No. 1 receiver position by default, I’d say it’s a safe bet Fitzgerald stays in Arizona. Almost a done deal.

Almost.

One last tidbit from the Sporting News’ Dan Arkush:

“We continue to hear that it’s a very good bet Fitzgerald would prefer to bide his time on his contract until the Cardinals clarify their extremely murky QB situation. As it now stands, with Derek Anderson virtually assured of not being back after shooting mostly blanks under center, second-year pro John Skelton, who started four games late in the season, is considered by most close to the team to be the front-runner.

If that’s still the case entering training camp, the consensus is that the Cardinals could run into real problems re-upping with Fitzgerald, who like most onlookers in the desert, is hoping for a high-profile upgrade at quarterback via free agency or trade.”

That’s an interesting pseudo-ultimatum thrown in there at the end, and though it’s not coming directly from Fitzgerald, I’m pretty certain that the Cardinals’ would be wise to accommodate him.

Fitzgerald is 27-years-old, a five-time Pro Bowler, and finished last season with 90 catches for 1,137 yards and six touchdowns despite the aforementioned shoddy quarterback play.

He is the face of the Arizona franchise.

If it is within their power to make him happy, I have no doubt they’ll try.