And it’s where the Cardinals receiver will finish his NFL career — whenever that might be.
Fitzgerald said Monday during his youth camp in his native Minnesota that he won’t play anywhere else during the rest of his career.
“If I’m not playing in Arizona, I won’t be playing anywhere,” Fitzgerald said, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I’ve built a good life for myself down there. Playing in the same place for 15 years is a true blessing.”
Larry Fitzgerald is third in career receptions with 1,234 — 91 away from tying Tony Gonzalez for second place. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
“It doesn’t really matter about the age, it’s about what you put into it and your mindset,” he told the newspaper. “Everybody kind of takes numbers and assumes this is when it’s supposed to end. As an athlete, fortunately, you write your own script. If you still produce and you play at a high level, you kind of determine how long you want to play.
“If I can stay at a high level, I still keep destiny in my own hands.”
And that means the questions about when Fitzgerald will retire will continue to be an annual occurrence.
What would a lineup of under-25 NFL all-stars look like? Glad you asked. We polled 43 of our NFL insiders — reporters, analysts, former players — to find out which players under age 25 will be the best at each position over the next three seasons.
The results included four Saints (the most of any team), three players drafted in April and nine players age 22 or younger.
ESPN Insider Field Yates wrote the analysis of each selection.
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
Percentage of vote: 65.1
Few quarterbacks have galvanized a franchise as expediently as Watson did the Texans in 2017. Watson, 22, has exceptional football IQ and character to lead teammates paired with unique arm talent (particularly in the vertical passing game) and dynamic athletic ability.
Which NFL teams have the most complete rosters? Pro Football Focus ranks them all from top to bottom.
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Regardless of what Gurley’s timed speed is — and you know he’s fast — his functional play speed is even better. A step for Gurley, 23, in the open field usually means six points. With outstanding receiving skills and a diverse list of open-field maneuvers, he’s a true dual-threat back.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Percentage of vote: 46.5
A projection for the 21-year-old Barkley based off a sterling career at Penn State, the Giants are hopeful that a skill set highlighted by an abundance of power, soft hands in the passing game and uncommon return skills will yield immediate returns. His polish on and off the field boosted his case as a can’t-miss draft prospect.
Runner-up: Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Wide receivers
Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings
Percentage of vote: 53.5
Diggs, 24, has shown the ability to dominate in different ways at the NFL level. He excelled as a vertical threat as a rookie, chewed up catches in a volume role as a sophomore and took another step in his third season. When the ball is in the air, Diggs is a good bet to win in man-to-man coverage.
Tyreek Hill has scored touchdowns by rushing, receiving, kick return and punt return over the past two seasons. Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire
Hill has made his mark already as a speed threat in the NFL. It’s not hyperbole to suggest the 24-year-old is the fastest player in the league, routinely impacting the game as a receiver, runner and returner. Hill has a compact frame but plays with some power, too.
The reality of some NFL offenses is that tight ends are asked to serve frequently in a detached alignment, working in a slot role that requires immense athletic skills. Engram, 23, is in some ways a jumbo wide receiver, firmly cementing his spot as a bright spot in the Giants’ offense as a rookie.
Runner-up: Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers
Offensive tackles
Jack Conklin, Tennessee Titans
Percentage of vote: 72.1
While some still believe that the value of a left tackle surpasses that of a right tackle, Conklin’s immediate emergence on the right side for Tennessee proves it’s a position of massive influence. Powerful and technically sound, the 23-year-old is currently recovering from a knee injury.
Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans Saints
Percentage of vote: 51.2 percent
During a time when NFL teams are finding the challenge of identifying ready-made offensive linemen more difficult, Ramczyk, 24, stepped into a starting role right away. He played every snap in 2017 and handled multiple positions.
Runner-up: Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens
Guards
Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts
Percentage of vote: 93 percent
Nelson was a near-unanimous pick, a reflection of his pedigree coming out of Notre Dame. The 22-year-old plays with a blend of nasty and surgical attention to detail. Indy hopes he’ll set the tone for the line for a decade.
Quenton Nelson hasn’t played a down in the NFL, but he was a near-unanimous selection for our under-25 team. Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire
The 24-year-old Peat is a dancing bear, an impressive athlete for a player of his size with positional versatility.
Runner-up: Will Hernandez, New York Giants
Center
Pat Elflein, Minnesota Vikings
Percentage of vote: 60.5 percent
The center position involves more than just meets the eye; Elflein, 24, absorbs great responsibility pre-snap in getting the offensive line in sync. His acclimation to the pro game from his college days was an expedient one.
Runner-up: Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions
Interior linemen
Sheldon Rankins, New Orleans Saints
Percentage of vote: 53.5 percent
Rankins, 24, is unique in this sense: He’s an immovable object in the middle of the Saints’ defense that makes the group decidedly better against the run, while also adding value as an intention rusher.
Leonard Williams, New York Jets
Percentage of vote: 74.4 percent
Williams’ length stands out, as the long-levered and versatile 24-year-old defender makes it hard for an offensive lineman to stay engaged. His value will transcend his statistics, but those are already quite impressive.
Runner-up: Jonathan Allen, Washington
Pass-rushers
Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers
Percentage of vote: 93 percent
Bosa, 23, drew pre-draft comparisons to J.J. Watt, an almost unfair parallel for any player to face. And yet, he has been a dominant force with some shades of Watt in terms of next-level power and acceleration.
Myles Garrett had seven sacks in 11 games played during his rookie season. AP Photo/David Richard
Garrett was a bit limited by injuries as a rookie but made his mark all the same. He may have been the best talent on the Browns’ roster last season when the team went 0-16. Much more impressively, the 22-year-old may still be the most talented player on an improved roster.
T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Percentage of vote: 51.2 percent
The younger Watt, 23, is a terrific athlete and has the reactive skills to be a factor in coverage. Oh, did we mention he’s already an immense force as a rusher for a defense that led the NFL in sacks last year?
Runner-up: Yannick Ngakoue, Jacksonville Jaguars
Linebackers
Myles Jack, Jacksonville Jaguars
Percentage of vote: 74.4 percent
In a league where offenses stress a defense every inch of the field horizontally, Jack’s athletic tools stand out. The 22-year-old has already established himself as a ferocious tackler, cooling any concerns over a serious college knee injury.
Deion Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Percentage of vote: 60.5 percent
Jones, 23, carries a rep as one of the game’s best coverage linebackers already. He runs like an oversized defensive back while also setting the tone as a hitter. He’s the quarterback of Atlanta’s defense.
Reuben Foster, San Francisco 49ers
Percentage of vote: 32.6 percent
Foster’s NFL career is young, but what already stood out was his feel for finding the football. The 24-year-old must stay healthy and will serve a two-game suspension to begin the season, but he could emerge as San Francisco’s best defensive player.
Runner-up: Kwon Alexander, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cornerbacks
Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints
Percentage of vote: 60.5 percent
Lattimore’s ability to play on an island is reflective of his confidence, reactive athletic ability and ball skills. It’s hard to quantify how much mental toughness impacts defensive back play; the 22-year-old Lattimore has a ton of it.
Marshon Lattimore was named 2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
No player earned a higher percentage of votes in this exercise than the 23-year-old Ramsey. The question may not be whether he’s one of the best players under 25, but rather whether he’s on track to becoming the league’s best defensive player.
Runner-up: Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills
Safeties
Landon Collins, New York Giants
Percentage of vote: 67.4 percent
Collins, 24, almost immediately emerged into a leadership role for the Giants. He’s a check-the-box safety, with the ability to do almost any task asked of him. He’ll make you remember his hits too, with excellent playing strength.
Jamal Adams, New York Jets
Percentage of vote: 65.1 percent
Adams oozes confidence with good reason. His pattern recognition and proactive athletic skills will align with a bucket of interceptions in time, while he’s also a player ready to run the alley as a box defender. The 22-year-old can hang in coverage versus tight ends.
Runner-up: Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
Kicker
Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs
Percentage of vote: 55.8 percent
Butker, 22, had a historic season, as his 38 field goals for the Chiefs in 2017 were the most by a rookie in league annals. He has a cannon for a leg, nailing 38 of 42 attempts, connecting on all of his extra points and booming 78.2 percent of his kickoffs for a touchback.
It’s rare to see a specialist win the MVP of a bowl game for a major college program, be selected a unanimous All-American, forego his final college season or earn a fifth-round NFL selection. Dickson, the Seahawks’ 22-year-old fifth-rounder in 2018, did them all. They hope for him to become a major weapon.
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is taking the optimistic approach to Le’Veon Bell’s franchise tag negotiations.
Appearing at the Hampton Roads Youth Foundation football camp over the weekend, Tomlin told WAVY Channel 10 that he would like the Steelers to sign Bell to a long-term contract before Monday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.
“Obviously we want to get a deal done, he wants to get a deal done; everybody has said that,” said Tomlin, who returns to his hometown of Hampton, Virginia, every summer for the camp. “Now it’s just about the negotiators getting into a room and doing what it is they need to do. I’m excited and hopeful. Hopefully we’ll have some exciting news before Monday.”
Tomlin expressed similar optimism before last year’s deadline, when the Steelers failed to sign Bell and didn’t see him until training camp ended. Bell signed his $12.12 million tag on Sept. 4.
As the Steelers and Bell are pressed against the deadline for the second straight year, the running back is prepared to play on this year’s tag — worth $14.5 million — in the absence of what he considers a fair deal.
Bell told ESPN this offseason that he won’t sign an extension offer worth less than the tag number on an annual basis. Talks stalled in the spring after Bell turned down an offer, but both sides reopened negotiations over the past week.
Coach Mike Tomlin believes a long-term contract could be reached between the Steelers and running back Le’Veon Bell in the final hours. David J. Phillip/AP Photo
Bell started slowly in 2017 but finished with 1,291 rushing yards on 321 carries, 655 receiving yards on 85 catches and 11 total touchdowns. The performance earned him All-Pro status, and his 7,996 career scrimmage yards are the most since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger for a player’s first five seasons.
The Steelers report to St. Vincent College for training camp on July 25. Teammates are used to life without Bell — who has used boxing and a vegan diet this offseason to stay in shape — holding off from most football exercises to keep his knee fresh.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In an offseason that saw Jason Witten retire to the Monday Night Football broadcast booth while Antonio Gates awaits a team to sign him and Rob Gronkowski flirts with ending his NFL career, it’s safe to say the tight end position in the NFL is in a state of transition.
With those superstars moving on or close to it, there are a number of vacancies at the head of the class alongside the likes of Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz. While there’s no shortage of options to fill the void, one candidate wouldn’t immediately come to mind when looking at the next wave of tight ends, at least not for those outside of the Bay Area.
But in San Francisco, second-year 49ers tight end George Kittle has quietly emerged as one of the league’s most intriguing tight end prospects. And he’s not shying away from the opportunity to establish himself as one of the best at his position.
“Obviously I want to be the best as a tight end,” said Kittle. “I get on the field, I feel like it’s an opportunity to show that I can play football and I’m good at my job and I deserve to keep my job. … There’s comparisons everywhere, but if I can go out and show that I’m the best me, and I can ball and prove to myself that I can play really well and prove to Coach [Kyle] Shanahan and my tight end coach that I’m playing well and I’m the best one and they need me, then I’m satisfied.”
Kittle has lofty goals, especially for a fifth-round pick who entered the league with little hype just more than a year ago. Kittle’s high expectations aren’t exclusive to him. In fact, the 49ers have been high on him since they chose him with the 146th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
During his career at Iowa, Kittle never finished with more than 22 catches per season for the run-heavy Hawkeyes. He had just 48 receptions for 737 yards and 10 touchdowns in four years. Iowa’s commitment to the running game, however, helped Kittle establish himself as a stout blocker, but blocking tight ends don’t usually get drafted very high.
George Kittle had 43 catches for 515 yards and two touchdowns during his rookie season. Sergio Estrada/USA TODAY Sports
Still, Kittle had a strong showing at the NFL scouting combine, where he ran the third-fastest 40-yard dash among tight ends (4.52 seconds) and had the third-best long jump (11 feet).
In Kittle, Shanahan saw the ideal fit for his offense — a tight end capable of in-line blocking and lining up in a variety of places. Among the many rookies the 49ers brought in last season, none had a bigger workload than Kittle, who was taking starting reps from the moment he arrived.
Kittle never flinched, despite playing through a high ankle sprain, as well as calf, hip, chest, elbow, back and hamstring ailments.
“It’s rare that you have a guy who is built to block very well who also runs in the 4.5s and who is quick enough to separate,” Shanahan said.
“This is the healthiest I’ve felt since I was going into college,” Kittle said.
Improved health wasn’t Kittle’s only offseason emphasis. He managed to finish his rookie season with 43 catches for 515 yards, rookie records for a 49ers tight end and second among all rookies at the position. Finally healthy in the season finale against the Rams, Kittle went for 100 yards on four catches. Still, those overall numbers could have been better if not for an early-season struggle with drops.
Kittle finished with five drops on the season, tied for third most among tight ends. Some of those miscues were the product of his tendency to let the ball get too close to his body instead of using his hands to snatch it out of the air. Which is why tight ends coach Jon Embree has instituted a system of fines for his players when they don’t catch the ball away from their bodies in practice.
“In the NFL at our position, I would say that 85 percent of the passes you catch are going to be contested balls with people around you,” Embree said. “So he’s had to learn, and is still learning, how to play outside of his frame. In other words, playing with his hands away from his body, using his length.”
Assuming Kittle can stay healthy and eliminate some of those drops, it’s not hard to envision how Shanahan can put him to work. While tight ends have never been the primary target in Shanahan’s previous offenses (in part because he’s rarely had legitimate playmakers at the position), he has had a knack for getting the most out of them when the ball does go their way.
In two seasons with Shanahan in Atlanta, Falcons tight ends were fifth in the NFL in yards per catch (12.18) and third in yards before first contact with a defender (11.07). With Shanahan in 2014, Browns tight ends ranked second in yards per catch (15.22) and first in yards before first contact (14.33). In other words, Shanahan’s scheme has a way of creating openings for tight ends to run free for big gains.
Kittle still has a long way to go to be considered among the game’s elite at his position, but the 49ers are pleased with his trajectory.
“We put a lot of pressure on George early because we needed to and it was up and down throughout the year, but he never shied away,” Shanahan said. “… He is a tough guy who is going to play through things, but he’s healthy right now. He’s moving great and it’s allowing him to get better in the run and pass. That’ll continue. George has got a lot of ability.”
Jack Conklin, Tennessee Titans
