Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is in favor of his team bringing back veteran tight end Antonio Gates. This would be as a result of the unfortunate season-ending ACL injury fellow tight end Hunter Henry suffered in OTAs.
Now that the team’s brass has had some time to think about asking Gates to return, general manager Tom Telesco had this to say.
“Would be a natural fit, right?” Telesco wrote during a live chat with fans on the team’s official website. “I saw that Philip voted for it. When it comes to roster moves, we are not a democracy. But we are not a dictatorship either. His vote was noted and accounted for. Antonio’s accomplishments and contributions to this organization are immeasurable. We will see what the future holds. I don’t have an update at this time.”
Rivers’ vote comes with high regard of a tight end he played with since he took over as starter in 2006. As far as Gates being a natural fit as Telesco says, the tight end has tallied 927 receptions resulting in 11,508 yards and 114 touchdowns since joining the team in 2003. He knows just a thing or 900 about the Chargers’ offensive scheme.
The Chargers obviously will do their due diligence when it comes to finding a suitable replacement for Henry. But Gates, who still managed to play in all 16 games last season, definitely makes sense in some capacity.
Soon enough, the Chargers will make their decision.