In his 16th season, Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald is still playing at a fairly high level in 2019. After six games, Fitzgerald is leading the Cardinals in receptions(35), receiving yards(427), and is second on the team in receiving touchdowns(2). He is doing all this at the age of 36.

In his first season as Cardinals head coach, Kliff Kingsbury is seeing up close and personal what makes Fitzgerald so great.

“He has an incredible desire to be great, you watch it in practice, I watched it all spring,” Kingsbury said during a conference call on Wednesday. “He is going full speed in every rep he took all spring, all training camp, every practice. You have to kind of pull him off the field because he wants to get every rep and wants to continue to get better and wants to be coached. He’s just a unique talent, a unique person, and I feel very lucky to be around him.”

Obviously, when his career ends, Fitzgerald is going to the Hall of Fame, and fortunately for Arizona, they have a veteran that can show their rookie QB and number one overall pick in this year’s draft, Kyler Murray, how to be a professional. Murray has been solid thus far this season, and having a guy like Fitzgerald around will only make him better. 

After six games, Murray has thrown for 1664 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. Also, Murray is doing it with his legs, as he has rushed for 238 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. If Murray continues to play well, it could prolong Fitzgerald’s career, and according to Kingsbury, Murray is doing everything the team has asked of him.

“He’s shown he is willing to work and progress,” Kingsbury said. “He’s really adjusted his game over the first month and a half to fit what we do offensively and limit his negative plays. He’s doing all the things that we’ve asked him to do, which has been huge. We knew he had the talent to be a special player, and it’s all about work ethic and the price you are willing to pay once you get here, and he’s starting to show those things.”

If Fitzgerald can continue to play well, maybe the Murray to Fitzgerald connection can keep going for years to come in Arizona, which would make for good times in the desert.