CARSON, Calif. -- Hold off on the retirement party for Antonio Gates.
The 37-year-old just completed his 15th NFL season, but Gates says he still has gas in the tank and wishes to play in 2018.
“For the last couple months, I was kind of on the border, trying to figure out what I can do physically,” Gates said. “And so it’s just going out there, trying to figure out what I can do, and can I still play?
“Sometimes you need that reinforcement because as you get up in age, you need to go out and physically do it because it helps you mentally. I have a little saying that I say to my kids: ‘I’ve still got a little juice.’ And that’s something I’ve been saying to my kids when I go home. It’s just fun to be able to go out, make plays and help win football games.”
With Hunter Henry out the past two games because of a lacerated kidney, Gates totaled 10 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown in victories over the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders.
“He’s a pro,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. “He shows up every day. He does his job. He’s a Hall of Famer for a reason: He’s highly productive.”
Gates, 37, will be an unrestricted free agent in 2018, but he indicated that the Chargers have something special building and he’d like to be a part of it.
“He can certainly still do it,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. “He was very effective the last few weeks where we needed him in a bigger role because of Hunter being down.”
However, Gates had his least productive season in the NFL since his rookie year in 2003, totaling 30 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns.
If 2017 is his final season, Gates will finish as the all-time leader in receiving touchdowns by an NFL tight end, with 114. Gates and Rivers have connected on 87 touchdown passes during their time with the Chargers, second for a pair in league history.
Gates said he’ll take some time during the offseason to reflect before making a final decision.
“Right now it’s just getting away from the game of football, relaxing and spending time with the family,” Gates said. “And then when that time comes around, we’ll start having the necessary dialogue that’s appropriate for both parties.
“I think if they’re serious about winning the Super Bowl ... and that’s my goal, no matter what team it is.”