Adam Schefter, citing a league source, reports that the Chargers informed long-time TE Antonio Gates this offseason that they do not plan to bring him back for the 2018 season.
According to Schefter, Gates wants to continue his career, even though Chargers appear to be ready to move on.
Gates, 37, signed on with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State back in 2003 and has spent his entire 15-year NFL career with the team. He finished out the final year of his two-year, $11 million contract that included $6 million guaranteed and a base salary of $4.5 million for the 2017 season.
Gates is testing the open market as an unrestricted free agent.
In 2017 Gates appeared in all 16 games and caught 30 passes for 316 yards receiving and three touchdowns for the Chargers. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 17 tight end out of 71 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 50 Available 2018 NFL Free Agents list.
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