Larry Fitzgerald Reportedly Was Trade Target for Browns Before Restructured Deal

It's no secret that the Cleveland Browns lack offensive weapons, particularly in the wide receiver corps. However, general manager Ray Farmer reportedly pursued Arizona Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald in a spurned trade proposition.

Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot reported the rumor on Monday:

Fitzgerald opted to continue remaining loyal to the Cardinals by restructuring his contract and lessening the massive cap hit his deal would have incurred.

ESPNCleveland.com's Tony Grossi didn't believe Fitzgerald would have cured the Browns of their receiver woes:

Absent the indefinitely suspended Josh Gordon, Evan Silva of Rotoworld broke down the dearth of playmakers in Cleveland's passing game:

Just imagine Fitzgerald being shipped off to Cleveland. After refusing to flee for greener pastures despite a perpetually bad Cardinals quarterback situation, he'd have gone to catch passes from whoever headlines the accursed Browns QB depth chart toward the conclusion of his prolific career.

If Carson Palmer can come back healthy in 2015 and the following year as well, Fitzgerald ought to have a rather productive next couple of seasons. Such likely wouldn't have been the case if he were rocking a Cleveland uniform.