BY Ernesto Vega
EDITOR NOTE:
Please welcome our new writer Ernesto Vega https://www.facebook.com/ernesto.o.vega?ref=br_rs
Will he hang up his cleats and retire all together or will he sign with a new team that offers him one last good paycheck on his way out? Hopefully, He stays a Charger in 2018.
The Chargers have offered him a 2 year, $6 million dollar deal with a second year option. There is rumors that he may take a bigger deal offered by the New England Patriots for double the money although these claims have not been substantiated by any reliable sources. Gates has been a long time fan favorite throughout his career with the Chargers. Most l fans know his spectacular story of being a collegiate level basketball player. Going to a hosted workout for the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted rookie. He has graced us with his god given talent as he has become one of the best TE to ever step on the gridiron.
Gates has literally changed the TE position into a highly respected position. He has already etched his name into the NFL history books as the NFL’s All-Time TE touchdown leader. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/09/17/chargers-gates-sets-mark-with-112th-td-as-tight-end/105740430/. He currently holds the NFL record with QB Philip Rivers for the most TD's between a QB and TE with 87 TD's. Aside from the obvious sentimental reasons to Charger fans as to why Gates should re-sign on for one last hoorah in 2018. Now why should the team sign Antonio? Gates has said he is willing to resign with team. But for the first time in a long time the Chargers look like a team that is on the cusp of making a substantial run at the Lombardi. We all know Gates has not been to a Super Bowl up to this point.
Gates is the longest tenured Charger of all time with 14 loyal years with the team. Seau had 12 years before leaving. Tony Gwynn (like Gates) played 20 years for 1 team only. Gates is 2nd in all time loyalties to 1 team in SD and LA history.
He has a long standing relationship with veteran QB Philip Rivers and each teammate knows how the two players operate every day. The player to player chemistry is as good as anyone could ask for. Rivers is just as hungry for a ring as Gates so the motivation will undoubtedly be there.
Thirdly, (yes I know I said aside from sentiments) he is beloved by fans such as ourselves who have cheered him on for the better part of two decades and it would mean the world to see him retire with the team he started with and never to have too wear another team’s uniform.
Looking at the financial aspect Gates is being offered far less than what he is used too (in 2016 signed a 2 year deal for 11 $million) but when you consider what his role will be with the team, he will not be asked to do a lot. His playing time will be shortened allowing him to stay fresh and giving snaps to the new stud TE Hunter Henry. Even with Henry and newly acquired Virgil Green, Gates is still posses a red zone player defenses will have to deal with.
My personal opinion is I believe the front office made a very acceptable offer for what he is worth in conjunction with what his production should be. Lynn and Whisenhunt still believe Gates is a weapon they can utilize. It is not the money he is accustomed to making but it is a respectable offer when all things are taken into account. He will be getting paid at a higher rate than most starting tight ends in the NFL. He has made more than $40 million dollars with the Chargers in his career. From the management side of things the Chargers would be smart to make it work with Gates in any way they can. Gates is not the young stud he once was but that doesn’t mean that the 14 year vet doesn’t still have what it takes to make an impact. He still is very good at body positioning and route running. He still has a reliable set of hands for Rivers to trust.
The only issue is he may not necessarily fit into Anthony Lynn’s run first system due to the fact Gates has never been a good run blocker. Gates 30 catches for 316 yards makes him a viable option he did average about 10.5 yards per catch in 2017.
PFF has Gates ranked at 16th out of the top 100 TEs in the NFL in 2017. His season totals as a back up overall put him at 29th which include Targets, Rec,s, Yds and Tds. In his last five games in 2017, he ranked 9th on the same chart putting up decent numbers his last two seasons as a starter.
You have to think it would be worth it for both sides to come to an agreement after the NFL Draft which would include Gates for 1 more year in 2018.
For the first time in the future Hall of Famers extensive career Antonio Gates http://pfref.com/pi/share/FvqjV is faced with a serious decision on whether he will remain a Bolt or if he will retire. Eric Williams with Espn said Gates is mulling retirement as we enter the Draft and the calender goes from April to May.
Credit Getty Images and Pro Football Reference for links to the article
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