COSTA MESA, Calif. — Tight end Antonio Gates will not return to the Los Angeles Chargers, ending the 15-year tenure of the most prolific pass-catcher in franchise history.
COSTA MESA, Calif. — Tight end Antonio Gates will not return to the Los Angeles Chargers, ending the 15-year tenure of the most prolific pass-catcher in franchise history.
Chargers general manager Tom Telesco confirmed the team’s decision Friday night after the second day of the NFL draft.
The Chargers had waited to make any announcement on Gates’ future because they weren’t sure whether he intended to attempt to join another team for a 16th NFL season this fall. Gates has spent his entire career with the Chargers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2003.
“Antonio is not only one of the best Chargers of all time, he’s one of the best football players in the history of our game,” an emotional Telesco said. “These decisions are really, really difficult.”
Gates has caught 927 passes for 11,508 yards and 114 touchdowns — all Chargers records. He set the NFL record for TD catches by a tight end early last season.
