Tony Gonzalez Leaves The Door Open To Possible Return Next Season

Update:

Tony Gonzalez appeared on the Doug Gottlieb Show Friday and left open the possibility of returning next season if the Falcons were to start the season “10-0,” per Vaughn McClure.

• Gonzalez did add that he has given consideration to broadcast opportunities as well.

“Can I got back to the last couple of years when I used to say I’m 97-percent sure?” Gonzalez said, via Pro Football Talk.  “I’d probably take them up on that offer, especially if they’re 10-0.”

Even though it appears that Gonzalez was offering a tongue-in-cheek answer to the question, this is not going to do anything to quell rumors of a potential return next season. I’m sure we’ll continue to hear more regarding this topic throughout the offseason and into training camp.

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Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez has maintained throughout the season that this would be his final year in the NFL.

However, Gonzalez told Falcons QB Matt Ryan that he would entertain the idea of joining a contending team for a stretch run next year.

“Maybe, if the team is hot in November, 9-2 or something, I could come back for the last two months,” Gonzalez said in an excerpt released from Seth Wickersham’s ESPN the Magazine article.

Gonzalez also referred to Ryan has being an “excellent quarterback. But he’s not elite.”

“Matt’s an excellent quarterback. But he’s not elite. He’s this close,” says Gonzalez. “He’ll get there, but he has some learning to do.”

Gonzalez, 37, is coming off of another solid season in which he totaled 83 receptions for 859 yards and 8 touchdowns for the Falcons. He has only missed three games in his entire 15-year-career, which is really amazing when you consider the number of hits he’s taken over the years.

Clearly, he’s still an effective player and would find plenty of interest if available, but it doesn’t seem all that likely that he would be back next season.