Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has been in the NFL for 17 years, and says he gets the decision to trade him should it happen on Tuesday, according to ESPN.com.
Falcons trade rumors: Tony Gonzalez ‘totally understands’ deadline discussion
The future first-ballot Hall of Famer sounds open to a deal.
Chris Graythen
Gonzalez, only behind Jerry Rice on the all-time receptions list, has made it clear that he won’t ask for a trade to a contender. He also has made it clear he will not stand in the way should Atlanta want to part ways with him for some type of return on a player about to retire after this season. Per the article:
“I totally understand it,” Gonzalez told ESPN.com late Monday night. “Everybody out there needs to understand that I’m not naive to it. I see it, too. This is the last [nine] weeks of my career. And right now, things are looking ... you never know.
“But, like I said, I love my guys on this team too much to go ask for a trade. It would be something that would come from them where they said, ‘Hey, it makes sense because we could get something good for you and send you to a team that’s a contender.’ So I understand the thought process behind that.”
With the Falcons at 2-5, they are seemingly out of the playoff picture and trading Gonzalez appears to be a no-brainer for them. However, Atlanta will have to find the right dance partner to make a deal happen. Many believe that team is the Kansas City Chiefs, who need help in the passing game and have expressed interest in bringing back Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was originally drafted by Kansas City in the first round back in 1997. The former Chief played his first 12 seasons of his career for in Kansas City, on his way to his current totals of 1,280 catches, 14,663 yards and 106 touchdowns. All are easily records for tight ends.
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