Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald tells TMZ Sports he's excited to meet new Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury -- but there's one slight problem ... he might not be playing for him next season.

The 35-year-old wide receiver will be a free agent in 2019 -- but has said if returns to the NFL, the plan is to remain a Cardinal for life.

Now that AZ is transitioning to a new head coach in Kingsbury, we asked Larry for his thoughts on the situation.

"Hell of a coach," Fitz told us at LAX ... "Look at his resume. He's innovative offensively. That's somebody with a future right now. So, I'm excited for the chance to meet him."

So far, Larry says the two haven't talked -- but they've exchanged text messages.

As far as Larry's career goes -- "I don't know yet. Taking time to figure it out still."

We asked if he had set a deadline for himself to make a decision, but Larry tells us he's not sure yet ... he's taking it day by day.

Fitzgerald had played in the NFL for 15 seasons since being drafted 3rd overall in the 2004 Draft. He's been selected to the Pro Bowl 11 times.

He led the NFL in receptions in 2005 and 2016 ... and in receiving TDs in 2008 and 2009.

USC head coach Clay Helton says there's no hard feelings with Kliff Kingsbury for leaving the coaching staff to take an NFL head coaching job ... saying he doesn't blame the guy for jumping ship.

Of course, Kliff -- who was fired from Texas Tech -- signed a contract to become USC's offensive coordinator just last month ... only to back out this week when the Arizona Cardinals expressed interest.

Kliff officially signed with the Cards on Tuesday -- and his short-lived boss, Clay Helton, finally broke his silence about all of the drama that's been going down behind the scenes.

"I am happy for Kliff," Helton said in a statement.

"Any time you get an opportunity to be an NFL head coach, it is special. He is a talented coach, that’s why we brought him here. I wish him nothing but the best."

Helton continued ... "USC has always attracted the best coaches in the country from all levels. We will spend the upcoming weeks finding the best possible fit for USC and our program."

Early Doucet -- a former superstar LSU wide-receiver-turned-NFL-draft-pick -- was hit with a temporary restraining order in November after allegedly brutalizing his wife for the second time.

TMZ Sports has obtained court docs filed in Louisiana which show the 33-year-old was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from the alleged victim and her 2 children after an incident in which Doucet allegedly attacked the woman and smashed up their home.

The accuser told officials Doucet physically assaulted her in early November -- causing bloody injuries to her face and chest. She also claims Doucet smashed holes in the door and walls.

The judge set a follow-up hearing for December where both sides could tell their side of the story -- but no word yet on if the judge has extended the restraining order.

We do know it's the second time the accuser has gone to authorities with violent allegations against Doucet.

We've also obtained a police report from April 2017 showing Doucet named as the suspect for assaulting the same woman, who he was dating at the time.

Police took photos which show the woman bloodied and bruised and missing a tooth. Cops' photos of Doucet's hands show bloody knuckles.

We've reached out to officials to find out what happened with that case -- so far, no word back.

We've also reached out to Doucet for comment but have not heard back.

Doucet was a key part of the 2007 LSU national championship team. He caught 7 passes for 51 yards and a TD in the BCS title game against Ohio State.

Talk to me ... Cardinal????

Arizona superstar David Johnson did his best "Top Gun" impression Tuesday ... hitting up Luke Air Force Base to copilot an F-16 -- and the video is awesome!

Unclear exactly why he was there during game week ... but the 6'1", 224-pound RB stuffed himself into the back of a jet anyway ... and was DEFINITELY nervous as hell for it all.

"Pray for me," D.J. said before take off.

Don't worry AZ fans ... David met a better fate than Goose -- making it back to the ground just fine.

As for the dudes at the base ... they were jacked up about the experience, tweeting, "We had a blast hosting @DavidJohnson31 today and showing him how we train the world’s greatest fighter pilots!"

How's Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford handling being demoted in place of rookie QB Josh Rosen?

Really well ... at least, according to Josh.

Bradford got the hook Sunday after falling behind to the Bears ... in another lackluster start for the former #1 overall pick.

Rosen was thrown into the game with just minutes remaining -- and while he couldn't pull off a Baker Mayfield and lead his squad to a come-from-behind victory, he's officially been named the starter moving forward.

But there's no bitterness or hostility -- so says Rosen -- who thanked 30-year-old Bradford for being supportive at practice on Monday.

"Since day 1, Sam has had my back and helped me become the best quarterback I could be. I cannot thank him enough for showing me how to be a professional in every sense of the word."

"He is a leader, mentor, and great person. He and Mike Glennon couldn’t have been more supportive at a time that I thought might be a bit tense or awkward today."

"I couldn’t be more thrilled to be in a QB room with two of the most selfless people I’ve ever been around as I start my career as a quarterback in the NFL. For that I say thank you."

"With that being said, let’s get the valley rockin’ AZ!!!!"

Next up ... Seattle.

As if you needed another reason to love Larry Fitzgerald ... the NFL superstar hit up a local restaurant and spotted the bill for a HUGE crowd -- and the reason behind the good deed is awesome!!

The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver hit up Casella's Italian Delicatessen in Scottsdale on Tuesday ... in an effort to raise money for the restaurant owner, who was diagnosed with cancer.

Fitzgerald told locals to show up from 12-5 PM for a meal on his dime ... while accepting donations for Joe Casella and his family.

Of course, Fitz drew a MASSIVE crowd ... and we're told so many people took Fitzgerald up on his offer, the line took more than 5 HOURS to get through.

Larry Fitzgerald just gave an emotional speech in front of John McCain's friends and family at his memorial service ... detailing his unique friendship with the late senator.

The Arizona Cardinals superstar -- who grew close to McCain since he joined the NFL in 2004 -- says it was an unlikely pairing ... but that's what made it so special.

"Many people might wonder what a young, African-American kid from Minnesota and a highly-decorated Vietnam War hero-turned-United States senator might have in common ... Well, I thought of a few," Fitzgertald said in front of the huge crowd at North Phoenix Baptist Church on Thursday.

"I'm Black ... he was white. I'm young ... he wasn't so young."

"He lived with physical limitations brought on by war ... I'm a professional athlete."

"He ran for president ... I run out of bounds."

He was the epitome of toughness ... and I do everything I can to avoid contact."

"I have flowing locks and well ... he didn't"

Fitzgerald explains the odd pairing isn't really all that odd if you got to know McCain over the years ... "That's just who he is."

Ex-NFL running back Marcel Shipp just caught a huge break in his domestic violence case ... 'cause the charges were dropped after a key witness failed to show in court Monday ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Shipp -- a former Cardinals RB from 2001 to 2007 -- was facing over a year in prison after he allegedly got physical with a woman on a sidewalk in downtown Scottsdale in February.

40-year-old Shipp was hit with 3 misdemeanor charges -- including assault and disorderly conduct.

A hearing in the case was scheduled for Monday morning -- but the key witness was a no-show, prosecutors say.

Officials wouldn't specify if the witness was in fact the alleged victim -- but it seems likely.

It's not uncommon for domestic violence victims to stop cooperating with prosecutors after the initial report. Generally speaking, prosecutors often find it difficult to get a conviction without having a cooperative accuser, so when an accuser goes M.I.A., it usually means the case has sunk.

So, what does it mean for Shipp? He's off the hook for now -- but officials say the case CAN be refiled if the witness changes course and cooperates.

Did you know Carson Palmer lived like Pablo freakin' Escobar during his time as QB of the Cardinals?!?!

It's true ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned the ex-NFL superstar just sold his mansion now that he's retired -- and the place was EPIC!!

The palace -- located just north of Scottsdale in (fittingly) Paradise Valley -- was a whopping 6,785 square feet and had 6 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a pool AND A MOVIE THEATER!!

It coulda been all yours too ... but somebody just snatched it off the market for $2.9 MILLION -- according to David Khalaj from Pro Sports Realty.

Bummer for Carson to lose such a crib ... but he did make $300,000 on the deal -- sooo, all good, right??

Kurt Warner's got the blueprint for Johnny Manziel to make it back to the NFL ... revealing to TMZ Sports the ultra-simple game plan -- STOP THROWING PICKS!!

Yeah, we know ... enlightening stuff -- but Warner's speaking from experience!

Remember ... Kurt was an arena league QB and an NFL Europe signal-caller before finally becoming the Rams' and Cardinals' leader ... and he had PLENTY of games with four picks before NFL success.

So, he's telling us what got him back in the NFL ... and it's exactly what Johnny Football needs to do as well.

"Let's get down to zero interceptions, and make a whole bunch of plays," Warner says.

"And that's how he's going to make his way back."

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim has pled guilty to an extreme DUI stemming from a July 4th arrest ... and the team has hit him with a 5-week suspension.

As we previously reported, Keim was pulled over in Chandler, AZ after cops said he was swerving in his truck and almost hit a curb while making a turn.

During the stop, Keim told cops he only had 2 beers that evening -- along with some pizza. He refused to take a breathalyzer.

Now, the NFL team has issued a statement saying they've suspended Keim for 5 weeks and hit him with a $200,000 fine. The money will be donated to the AZ chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Keim has apologized for the incident and says, "I fully deserve and accept the punishment that has been issued."

Here's the police body cam footage of Arizona Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim -- who told cops he only had 2 beers on July 4 ... but, refused to take a breathalyzer test.

Keim was pulled over in Chandler, Arizona after cops said he was swerving in his truck and almost hit a curb while making a turn.

During the stop, Keim told cops he only had 2 beers that evening -- along with some pizza.

The cops weren't convinced he was sober.

Keim told the officers he couldn't do any walking sobriety tests due to a messed up knee -- so, cops made him do the "follow my pen with your eye" test instead. He bombed that.

When cops asked him to take a breathalyzer, he refused ... telling the officer, "Nah. I'm not gonna do that."

Cardinals superstar David Johnson's out to prove he's back ... and he's doing so by throwing nearly half a thousand pounds ON his back!

The stud RB put 495 pounds on the barbell Wednesday and squatted it ... THREE TIMES!!

FYI -- Johnson missed 15 games last season 'cause of a wrist injury he suffered in Week 1 ... but, clearly, dude's no worse for wear heading into this season.

We know what you're thinking ... not THAT impressed, especially since Rams star Aaron Donald just BENCHED that last month.

But, you should be ... D.J. only weighs 224 pounds -- so it's more than DOUBLE his bodyweight!!

The Cardinals cut ties with Tyrann Mathieu ... so he's cutting ties with Arizona -- putting his million dollar desert mansion on the market for $1.4 mil ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Honey Badger bought the 5,700 square foot pad back in April 2017 -- when he was in the middle of a five-year, $62.5 million deal. But he got the chop from the Cards in March and signed with the Houston Texans ... so his loss can be your gain!

The place is dope -- 6 beds, 6.5 baths, big backyard with a pool and a hot tub ... and a MOVIE THEATER!!

It also has a misting system -- which is nice ... since Arizona is hot as hell right now!! (It's 109 degrees in Phoenix!!!!)

NFL rookie Christian Kirk was showing signs of cocaine use when he was arrested at a golf tournament in Arizona back in February ... this according to the police report obtained by TMZ Sports.

Kirk -- a 2nd round draft pick by the AZ Cardinals -- was arrested for criminal damage to a car on Feb. 3 after cops say he was throwing rocks at cars in a parking lot outside of the Phoenix Open.

Event security had contacted police and said the suspects were "high."

When the Scottsdale PD arrived to the scene, one of the officers "immediately noticed Kirk's demeanor. He had a blank stare."

The officer placed Kirk under arrest and handcuffed him -- and then suggested he may have been on cocaine.

"I further noticed the grinding movement of his jaw and continued blank stare. These are common signs of an individual high on stimulants, such as cocaine."

Both Kirk and another man were transported to a nearby police station where they were booked and later released.

Arizona Cardinals rookie QB Josh Rosen left a fat ass tip after a sushi date with his mom ... and it's all to honor the late daughter of ex-Cardinals tight end Todd Heap.

Tragically, Heap's 3-year-old daughter Holly passed away last year after a car accident at the family home in Arizona.

To honor her memory, the Heaps started Hugs From Holly Day on May 3 -- and encouraged people to spread love and joy in their community with a random act of kindness.

The Heaps also asked people to wear pink (Holly's favorite color).

Rosen answered the call and after a $94 sushi meal in Manhattan Beach, CA -- he dropped a $300 tip for the staff. Pretty cool.

And he also wore pink.

Heap played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2011 and 2012 after spending 10 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.