Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill acknowledged that the team's priority is to restructure Larry Fitzgerald's contract but also indicated that the veteran receiver needs to be more flexible in negotiations, saying "it takes two to come to an agreement."
Bidwill touched on a variety of offseason topics in a radio interview Wednesday with Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, including saying that the Cardinals expect to complete contract extensions with coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim.
When asked about Fitzgerald, who is scheduled to make $16 million next season, Bidwill said restructuring the deal is the team's first order of business.
"I think, immediately, we've got to address Larry Fitzgerald's contract," Bidwill told the radio station. "We've talked about that. We've been working hard on trying to make sure that he's got a contract that compensates him appropriately. ... But it takes two to come to an agreement. So I think that's the first order of business."
Bidwill said the Cardinals hope to acquire a high-profile free agent with the salary-cap space they would free up by reworking Fitzgerald's contract.
"Free agency is going to be big for us," Bidwill said. "We've got to get the contract restructured with Fitz, because look at what we did last year in free agency -- with one significant signing, took care of that left tackle with Jared Veldheer, who did a tremendous job. That's the kind of impact we want to have this year in free agency."
Fitzgerald, an eight-time Pro Bowler, has spent his entire 11-year career with the Cardinals and is the franchise's all-time leader in every major receiving category.
But the 31-year-old's production has declined drastically over the past three seasons. He had just 784 receiving yards -- his lowest total since his rookie year -- and a career-low two touchdowns in 2014.