Former Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez says he’s “happily retired,” and is settling into his new role as a CBS analyst, despite receiving calls from teams with interest in signing him, writes Bob Glauber of Newsday. Still, the 14-time Pro Bowler acknowledges that if a Super Bowl contender were to call him late in the season, it wouldn’t necessarily be easy to say no.
“The temptation would be there, but I don’t know what the gain would be,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve always wanted a ring. That’s been my main goal as a player over the last 15 years of my career. You’re really trying to get that ultimate goal. … But I’d be a mercenary to come in and get a Super Bowl ring, play with a team for, what, six, seven weeks? And even if I got the ring, it wouldn’t be the same as going through the fight with the team from the beginning to the end. I don’t think that will happen. The temptation will be there, but I’m 100% happy with my decision.”
Here’s more from out of the NFL’s two South divisions:
- The Jaguars worked out former Chiefs fullback Eric Kettani this morning, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
- ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco tries his luck at predicting which 10 players will make up the Jaguars‘ practice squad to start the regular season.
- As David Newton of ESPN.com and Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer write, the Panthers‘ decision to trade running back Kenjon Barner to the Eagles makes sense, considering Barner wasn’t a great bet to beat out Fozzy Whittaker and Darrin Reaves to earn a spot on Carolina’s roster. The Panthers will only receive a seventh-round pick if Barner spends four or more games on the Eagles’ active gameday roster this season, but that’s better than losing him for nothing.
- John McClain of the Houston Chronicle interprets J.J. Watt‘s public comments about a contract extension yesterday as a signal that the star defensive lineman is a little frustrated with how slow talks between his camp and the Texans are moving.