What does San Diego's deal with Antonio Gates mean for Ladarius Green?
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 30: Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the San Diego Chargers picks up yards after a second quarter catch during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 30, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The San Diego Chargers have agreed to a two-year deal to retain longtime tight end Antonio Gates.
Gates, 35, has spent his entire 13-season NFL career with the Chargers. And his return could signal the departure of teammate Ladarius Green.
The 25-year-old Green is set to become a free agent later Wednesday and is expected to be in high demand. In 13 games (11 starts) this past season, Green caught 37 passes for 429 yards and four touchdowns.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Gates, who missed the first four games of the 2015 season while serving a suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy, played in 11 games last season but started only four. He had 56 receptions for 630 yards and five TDs.
Gates is the Chargers' all-time leader in receptions (844), receiving yards (10,644) and TD catches (104).