third all-time in receiving yards by the end of the season – he needs only 227 more to pass Randy Moss – and another season would likely allow him to move into second place. Fitzgerald is 869 yards shy of Terrell Owens for second.

A return likely would make Fitzgerald, who just surpassed the 15,000-yard mark last week against the Seahawks, only the second player ever to surpass 16,000 receiving yards. Jerry Rice has 1,549 receptions and 22,895 yards to lead both all-time categories. At the moment, Fitzgerald is at 1,185 and 15,066.

Fitzgerald is also of course seeking a Super Bowl win. A significant amount of players are still scheduled to become free agents after the season. Quarterback Carson Palmer is also under contract through 2018, although like Fitzgerald, Palmer could also consider retirement.

"It was discouraging when someone said to me, 'You think Fitz is going to retire?' " running back Adrian Peterson said. "I was like, 'I hope not, with all the football he has left.' I would hate to see my friend go."

Coach Bruce Arians, meanwhile, is under contract through next season, with the Cardinals hold a team option for Arians for 2019.