It’s been more than a month since we’ve heard about the Chargers’ interest in Antonio Gates, but it sounds like the team’s former Pro Bowl tight end is still on their radar. Talking to ESPN.com’s Eric D. Williams, Chargers general manager Tom Telesco acknowledged that the team has reached out to Gates. However, he noted that the team still has time to evaluate all of their potential options.
“There’s no update right now,” Telesco said. “We’ll see where things go next week. We’ve got a couple, different possibilities. We had talked about one obviously with Antonio Gates, and we’ll see where that goes. We’ve got some time here next week, so we’ll see what happens.”
The team had indicated early in the offseason that they were ready to move on from the 38-year-old. However, things changed when projected starter Hunter Henry tore his ACL in May, opening a big hole in the depth chart. The team is currently rostering Virgil Green, Sean Culkin, and Braedon Bowman at the position, but none of those options provide the offensive upside of Henry or Gates.
“Losing Hunter was a blow at the time, it is now but you have to overcome it,” Telesco said. “That’s what you have to do.”
Gates has spent his entire 15-year career with the Chargers organization. His numbers have predictably declined over the past several years, especially with the presence of Henry. Still, the veteran has found a way to contribute in the offense. After catching seven touchdowns during the 2016 campaign, Gates hauled in 30 receptions for 316 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games (four starts) last season.
While the Chargers would presumably prefer adding Gates over other free agent tight ends, there are still some notable names on the market, including Julius Thomas, Brent Celek, and Coby Fleener.
I’d tell them to screw off, although it’s about him too, and he’d be more comfortable where he knows the qb and the playbook.
All do respect to the man- put his number on the wall, measure him for his jacket, and pour the mold for his bust- how much does he have left? The three FA TEs mentioned should be able to replicate and probably exceed any numbers Gates would probably put up at his age and his mileage.
The familiarity with the system and rivers is probably the key… it would be much easier to plug gates back in than it would be to develop a chemistry with one of the other FA tight ends… they don’t need massive production from gates. Henry would have had massive production, but with him out, gates just needs to be a middle of the field, short yardage, receiving tight end. Rivers can spread the ball around to his other weapons for the big production… I think deal will get done.
At this point in time Antonio’s real value is as a mentor to the younger players. Would like to see him added to the coaching staff. Don’t think his snap count will exceed 300 if signed as a player.
Just sign him already