Arizona Cardinals: 6 Players Fans Would Love to See Retire in Cardinal Red

Over the past several years, we have seen a fair share of players sign one-day or 10-day contracts with a certain team so that they can retire as a part of that organization.

These players usually go back to the team that they started with or to the team they had the most success with.

For example, former Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra returned to the team on a one-day contract so that he could retire a Red Sox, after all that he was able to accomplish in Boston.

From the perspective of an Arizona Cardinals fan, there are a handful of players, both on the current roster and on another team, who we would love to see retire in the desert.

Highlighted over the following six slides are players that Arizona fans would love to see retire in Cardinal Red.

Larry Fitzgerald

This is the obvious choice out of the bunch. Not only is Larry Fitzgerald the best wide receiver in the game today, but he is also a class act.

Since being drafted by Arizona with the third-overall pick in 2004, Fitzgerald has recorded over 9,600 receiving yards on almost 700 catches and has 78 touchdowns. 

During his eight seasons in the desert, Fitzgerald has been named to the Pro Bowl six times, was the Pro Bowl MVP in 2009, is a four time All-Pro and the NFC’s receiving yards leader in 2008.

Fitzgerald’s performance in Super Bowl XLIII was one of the best by a receiver in the big game, as he caught seven passes for 127 yards and had two touchdowns.

This past offseason, he signed an eight-year deal with the Cardinals worth $120 million. The deal will keep him in Arizona until he’s 36; and hopefully by then he is given another extension so he can be a Cardinal for life.

Adrian Wilson

Also known as A-Dub, Arizona strong safety Adrian Wilson was selected by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft and has played 11 seasons in the desert.

Like Fitzgerald, Wilson has also been named to the Pro Bowl six times, but he has not won an MVP award. He has also been an All-Pro three times and is one of 10 players in the 20/20 club.

A-Dub has three years left on his five-year contract that he signed with Arizona back in June of 2009. The deal has him in the desert until he is 35. When the time comes, it will likely be up to the Cardinals front office to determine whether he retires here or not.

Darnell Dockett

Current defensive end Darnell Dockett was selected by Arizona in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft and has played in a Cardinals uniform for eight seasons. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and was an All-Pro in 2009.

Dockett had a rough childhood, as his mother was murdered and his father died four months later to cancer. This all happened when he was 13 years old. Despite all of this, he is able to keep his emotions in check and is a great member in the community.

Dockett also has three years left on his current contract and he will be 33 when it expires.

Jay Feely

This is more of a “he will likely retire with the Cardinals” situation rather than a “let’s make sure Jay Feely retires in Arizona” situation.

Feely is a free agent this offseason but will likely resign with the team unless they choose to draft a kicker instead.

At 35 years old, he only has a few years left, so when the Cardinals make a Super Bowl appearance sometime in the next two seasons, he could end up retiring.

Peyton Manning

We have all heard the rumors about Peyton Manning being released by the Indianapolis Colts and many Cardinals fans have been drooling over the thought of a Manning-to-Fitzgerald combination.

Arizona is probably the best place for Manning to go this late in his career—if he is released by the Colts. And if the Cardinals are able to sign him, he will be wearing red when he retires.

Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne has been Manning’s No. 1 receiver since 2007—when Marvin Harrison played only five games. In the four seasons since, Manning-to-Wayne has become one of the most feared combinations around the league.

Wayne is a free agent this offseason and would likely have Arizona in his sights if Manning is to sign here.

The Manning-Wayne-and-Fitzgerald trio would bring back memories of the Warner-Boldin-and-Fitzgerald trio from 2008 and would put Arizona into the Super Bowl picture.