Is Sunday the end for Kurt Warner's days with Cardinals?

Image by jndotcom via Flickr

TAMPA - Could Kurt Warner be playing his final game with the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday?

From USA Today Sports

The quarterback who has helped pumped life into the previously moribund franchise is scheduled to become a free agent after the season. And with numerous accolades (including potential induction into Canton) being heaped upon him, Warner's price could be going up with every positive word the Cardinals say about him.

"I would love to have Kurt back," receiver Larry Fitzgerald said Monday. "His leadership is invaluable to this team.

"His leadership ability, his experiences, it's so important to this team. He's helped guys in these playoffs, teaching them what to expect from week to week. And you can't replace that."

Coach Ken Whisenhunt similarly credited Warner, a two-time MVP and former Super Bowl champ with the Rams, with helping condition his teammates to Super Bowl week. And Whisenhunt said his decision to name Warner, 37, the starter instead of third-year player Matt Leinart has been validated.

"It came down to what I felt was the player that gave us the best chance to win early, to start fast," Whisenhunt said. "I felt looking at our schedule with five east coast trips, it was important that we started off fast, and we did exactly that with Kurt."

Super Bowl week is not a time for teams and players to discuss contracts, of course. But Cardinals GM Rod Graves said last week he wants Warner "to end his career a Cardinal."

But with Warner's success this season, other teams may see him as the key to a Cardinals-like turnaround.

His agent, Mark Bartelstein, told the Chicago Tribune that Warner loves Arizona and "would love to get something done."

But that doesn't mean he's definitely coming back.

"My view with players is always that once you get to free agency, you have earned the right to find out about yourself," Bartelstein said. "You would be silly not to have an open mind."