"The Cardinals have opened contract talks with receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who holds most of the leverage in negotiations.

The discussions have been preliminary, according to a source, and the team has considerable work to do before signing Fitzgerald to a third multi-year deal.

ESPN first reported that negotiations had started, and two sources confirmed it.

Fitzgerald's current contract, which pays him an average of $10 million a year, expires after the 2011 season and prevents the team from trading him or using the franchise and transition tags to restrict his movement in free agency.

Fitzgerald entered the 2010 season as the NFL's highest-paid receiver, and a contract extension likely would keep him in that position.

But money isn't the only factor in the Cardinals' quest to keep Fitzgerald, the third overall pick in the 2004 draft. The team needs an upgrade at quarterback to improve upon its 5-11 record this season, and to convince Fitzgerald that the offense is heading in the right direction."