Before hanging up his cleats, tight end Antonio Gates was close to capping off his career with a final season played in 2019. But it wasn’t going to be with the Los Angeles Chargers.
According to ESPN’s Eric D. Williams, Gates’ best opportunity was with the Indianapolis Colts because of his familiarity with head coach Frank Reich and wide receiver coach Nick Sirianni, where he would serve as a mentor for Eric Ebron. However, the Colts fell out of playoff contention.
The Chargers were ready to move on from the 39-year old after the 2017 season, but a severe injury to Hunter Henry forced them to bring him back as an insurance. Gates finished the 2018 regular season with 28 receptions for 333 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
With Henry, Virgil Green and Lance Kendricks making up the tight end room in 2019, there wasn’t a need for Gates, even when Henry missed four games after sustaining a knee injury.