It's one of the busiest weeks of the NFL offseason, as seemingly everyone in the football universe is gathered in Indianapolis for the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. Coaches and general managers were giving press conferences today, and one of them was Los Angeles Chargers GM Tom Telesco.
One of the biggest questions facing the Chargers this offseason is what to do with Antonio Gates. Gates was almost forced into retirement last year, but ended up being brought back at the last minute. Telesco was noncommittal about his status for 2019, but said he would “meet with Antonio Gates’ representation at the combine this week,” according to Eric D. Williams of ESPN. Williams also notes that Telesco said there was a chance he would return next year.
The Chargers were all set to move on from Gates after his contract expired last year, and to move forward with Hunter Henry. But then Henry tore his ACL during the offseason and the team ended up agreeing to terms on a deal with Gates to bring him back just before the end of the season.
Gates is 38 now and nowhere near the player he used to be, but he was serviceable at times in 2018. The legendary tight end caught 28 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns. That was actually a slight improvement from 2017, when he had just 316 yards. Henry will be back next season, so if Gates does return it will be in a backup and mentorship type role.
One of the best players ever at his position and a surefire Hall of Fame inductee, Gates has a strong bond with his long-time quarterback Philip Rivers. The Chargers are finally starting to turn the corner as a team, and had their most successful season in years in 2018. They went 12-4 and won a playoff game, before falling to the Patriots in the Divisional round.
Gates has never been to a Super Bowl in his 16-year career, and he's expressed a desire to keep playing with the Chargers. Telesco certainly didn't shoot down the idea, and it sounds like he could be back for one final ride.
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