Indications Suggest Chargers TE Antonio Gates Won’t Retire

Michael Gehlken of the Union Tribune San Diego writes that veteran TE Antonio Gates wants to retire a Charger and indications are that he isn’t ready to retire just yet.

The way we played today, for a team with nothing to gain, nothing to lose, nothing, says a lot about us, man,” Gates said previously. “This is the type of team I would love to finish my career with. To make a long story short, I’d love to finish my career here. I know one thing: we’re going to fight despite whatever we’re going through. We’ll see how it goes.”

Chargers GM Tom Telesco also mentioned that they’re interested in re-signing Gates, so it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see them get an extension done at some point in the coming months.

Gates, 36, is currently in line to be an unrestricted free agent after completing a five-year, $36.1 million deal that he signed in 2010. Gates has spent all of his 13 year career with San Diego, so it is clear to see that he prefers to end his career with the team that drafted him.

Regardless of his age, Gates has continued to produce at an impressive level. In 2015, Gates appeared in 11 games, accumulating 56 receptions for 630 yards and five touchdowns. Pro Football Focus rated him as the No. 7 overall tight end on their end of the year ratings.

We will provide more information regarding Gates and the Chargers as the news becomes available.

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