Chargers say return of Antonio Gates is a real possibility

By Rachel Wold

·Updated: March 26, 2019

It appears that veteran tight end Antonio Gates could return for a 17th season with the Los Angeles Chargers.

This information comes to us via Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn.

Lynn said the return of Antonio Gates is “absolutely” still a possibility. “We have to look and see where we are at free-agent wise and money-wise, and just see how some of these things work out. We explained that to him, so we’re in wait-and-see mode right now,” Lynn said.
— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) March 26, 2019

Gates has been a long-time fixture on the Chargers’ offense since 2003. But it took the injury of fellow tight end Hunter Henry to nudge the Chargers into asking Gates back in 2018.

Gates very much wanted to return last season and it seems the Chargers need to work some things out financially to extend an offer to him to play in 2019.

Gates last played at a discounted salary cap hit of only $2.5 million. He participated in all 16 games in 2018, catching 62.2 percent of his targets for a total of 28 receptions and 333 yards.

He also caught a very memorable postseason touchdown this past January in a loss to the New England Patriots in the Divisional round of playoffs.

As such, Gates still has a little left in the tank. And it would be cool to see him back out there for perhaps one last whirl catching passes from Philip Rivers.