The San Diego Chargers have re-signed veteran tight end Antonio Gates to a two-year, $12 million contract. This move almost ensures that the 35-year-old Gates will finish his career with the team that first took a chance on him as an undrafted rookie free agent nearly 13 seasons ago.
Gates is the team's all-time leader in receptions (844), receiving yards (10,644) and touchdowns (104). Among all-time leaders at the position, he ranks second behind only Tony Gonzalez in touchdowns, and third behind Gonzalez and Jason Witten in receptions and receiving yards.
Last season, the Chargers offense struggled as Keenan Allen, Stevie Johnson, Ladarius Green and Gates combined to miss 22 games. Although Green will likely sign elsewhere, and veteran deep threat Malcom Floyd is set to retire, quarterback Philip Rivers should be happy with the Chargers' free agency moves.
Gates has always been Rivers' favorite target, accounting for 20 percent of his career passing yards and 28 percent of his career passing touchdowns. Travis Benjamin, who ran a 4.36 40-yard dash at the Combine in 2011, comes over from Cleveland to fill Floyd's shoes as the team's primary deep threat.
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