OT: Schefter: Gates signs five-year deal, highest-paid TE in NFL

[BradyFTW!]

Twitter / Adam Schefter: Filed to ESPN: Chargers TE ...

Curious to see the terms of the deal, but one of my first thoughts was that the Chargers might be sending a message to the holdouts by rewarding Gates, who has been there and been active. I'm sure McNeil, Merriman, and Jackson are all steaming right now, but I think this was the right call. Thoughts?

 

[Calciumee]

That must be a big kick to the holdouts 'If you won't take our money, others will'

Unlike the D'Bust, Gates actually deserves to be paid like a top TE, because he is!

 

[Pewsterbaby]

I miss Russ Francis and Ben Coates.

 

[patchick]

Wasn't Gates a totally different contract situation? He's not one of the unlucky RFAs who feel screwed over by the CBA madness. He's a vested vet currently under contract, so it's just a routine extension. I don't think that can "send a message" to a guy like McNeill, who has refused to sign the RFA tender and isn't under contract at all.