Antonio Gates staying with the San Diego Chargers
By John Buhler
Antonio Gates will reportedly stay with the only NFL team he has ever played for, agreeing to sign another deal with the AFC West’s San Diego Chargers.
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates will remain with the San Diego Chargers.
The #Chargers agreed to terms to keep TE Antonio Gates, source said
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2016
Though Gates hasn’t made a Pro Bowl since 2011 or an All-Pro team since 2006, the soon-to-be 36-year-old veteran tight end wisely decides to stay with the Chargers for at least a 14th NFL season. Gates is a certain Pro Football Hall of Famer as one of the top 10 tight ends to have ever stepped foot on the gridiron.
In 13 years with the Chargers, Gates has piled up 844 receptions for 10,644 yards and a staggering 104 touchdowns. He has been starting quarterback Philip Rivers’ favorite target for the duration of Rivers’ also impressive NFL career.
Even at age 35, Gates still had a productive 2015 NFL season with 56 catches for 630 receiving yards and 5 touchdown receptions.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Gates’ new deal with the Chargers is two years in length, which will allow one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history to close out his NFL career with the only organization he’s ever known.
Chargers and Antonio Gates reach agreement, as @RapSheet reported. Deal is a 2-year agreement and allows Gates to finish career as Charger.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2016
San Diego maybe coming off a terrible 4-12 2015 season, but the Chargers are making some wise moves in 2016 NFL free agency by bringing in wide receiver Travis Benjamin from the Cleveland Browns and ensuring that the veteran Gates will never play for another NFL team in his Hall of Fame career.
For more posts on NFL free agency, please check out our NFL free agency hub page.