Larry Fitzgerald says Cardinals players all want head coach Steve Wilks back

There has been a lot of talk about the Arizona Cardinals firing head coach Steve Wilks after just one season with the team, and veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald says that would not be a popular decision in the locker room.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network asked Fitzgerald over the weekend if he believes Wilks should return in 2019 despite Arizona’s 3-11 record, and Fitzgerald gave a very straightforward endorsement.

“We all would want him back,” he said.

The Cardinals have already fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy this season, and many believe Wilks — a former defensive coordinator — is not the right coach to help develop first-round pick Josh Rosen. Despite that, Rapoport reports that team owner Michael Bidwill has made “no firm decision” and could retain Wilks with the expectation that he make significant changes to his staff.

According to Fitzgerald, Wilks has not lost the locker room and would be welcomed back in 2019.

“I love Wilks,” the 35-year-old said. “Great dude. We all play hard for him. That’s the team — not me alone — speaking on it.”

Fitzgerald, meanwhile, has not said for certain whether he will play in 2019. With the possibility of Fitzgerald retiring and the Cardinals considering some big changes other than just their head coach, there will be plenty of storylines to watch in Arizona this winter.