Larry Fitzgerald reaches 100 TDs, shrugs off retirement reports

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A few hours after reports surfaced that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was telling people close to him that 2016 would be his final season, the future Hall of Famer caught his 100th career touchdown, landing him in the top 10 on the NFL's all-time touchdown reception list.

But Fitzgerald isn't looking to quit climbing that list any time soon.

On Sunday morning, NFL Network reported that Fitzgerald was telling people close to him that he was retiring after the season.

During his postgame news conference, however, Fitzgerald said he hasn't thought about 2017.

"You know, I don't talk about the future," Fitzgerald said. "I don't even know what I'm having for dinner tonight, let alone what I'm doing next year. I signed another year for a reason. I believe in what we're doing here. I believe in the guys that I have in this room, the head coach [Bruce Arians], his staff. Obviously, [Cardinals president] Michael Bidwill is doing everything he can to put us in a position to win.

"That's where my mindset is at. What I'm doing next year is of no importance. This is the year. And I want to make sure we make it great."

Fitzgerald did his part in Arizona's 23-21 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, but Arians said the Cardinals weren't properly prepared.

"We were obviously not ready to play," Arians said. "They outplayed us, and we will learn from it."

Fitzgerald caught his 99th touchdown on a 3-yard pass from quarterback Carson Palmer late in the second quarter, which tied him for 10th all time with Don Hutson, who played from 1935 to 1945.

Fitzgerald's 100th score came on a dramatic over-the-head diving catch on a fade from Palmer that gave the Cardinals their first lead of the game, 21-20, early in the fourth quarter. Fitzgerald finished the game tied for eighth all time on the touchdown list with Steve Largent and Tim Brown.

Next on the list is San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, who owns sole possession of seventh place with 104 touchdowns.

But Fitzgerald said he was glad to have his 100th.

"I'm glad to put it behind me so I don't have to talk about it anymore," he said.