The Arizona Cardinals no longer have to deal with the uncertainty surrounding the status of star wideout Larry Fitzgerald after it was finally confirmed that he will return for the 2018 season. However, the Cards still have a sizable task of finding their quarterback of the future. According to Cardinals GM Steve Keim, though, the fact that Fitzgerald will be back should be a big help to the team in terms of recruiting that QB if they go the free agency route.

“I don’t think it will impact the search part of it, but I do think it will impact the recruitment part of it if, in fact, it’s through free agency,” Keim said per Vince Marotta of Arizona Sports. “I mean there’s no doubt that Larry Fitzgerald’s name and his reputation carry a lot of weight, so we will certainly — if we go down that path — use Larry and David Johnson and all the other current stars that are on our roster to try to make sure that any potential franchise quarterback understands that this is a special place.”

Even though he’s now in his mid-30s, Fitzgerald has still been one of the most productive receivers in the entire league over the last few years. He topped 100 catches, 1,000 receiving yards, and six touchdowns for the third-straight season in 2017.

Fitzgerald’s continued presence in the Cardinals receiving corps should be a strong reason for free-agent quarterbacks to at least consider coming to Arizona. He offers a stable leadership presence, not to mention a reliable receiving weapon to complement returning star running back David Johnson that could lead to success for Arizona next season.