Tony Gonzalez is “50-50” about retiring, meaning he could return to the Atlanta Falcons for another season. This according to General Manager Thomas Dimitroff. Fact or wishful thinking?
Dimitroff, speaking on NBC Sports, is hopeful the future Hall of Fame tight end would back away from his proclamation that he would retire at the end of the just-completed season.
Gonzalez said late in the season he was 95 percent sure he would retire. He even moved that figure up to 97 percent after the Falcons won a playoff game against Seattle. After losing the NFC Championship Game to San Francisco, Gonzalez said he still intended to retire.
Dimitroff has openly talked about wanting Gonzalez around for an 18th NFL season, and he said Gonzalez is closer to returning than he has indicated.
“Tony has done so much for us on and off the field, and I don’t believe, not stating that he would be lying to anyone, but I don’t believe the 95 percent,” Dimitroff said on Pro Football Talk on NBC Sports Network. “I want to believe it’s a lot closer to 50-50, to be honest with you, and we’ve had discussions.
“Obviously (Falcons coach) Mike Smith has had discussions with him. We’re all in a good place. Ultimately, it’s up to Tony to decide if he wants to come back and potentially catch 100 balls again. I think it’s one of those situations that Tony was so effective for us down the stretch, and I can’t imagine that his appetite wasn’t sort of whet from his contributions in the playoffs.”
During Super Bowl week in New Orleans, Dimitroff said there was no firm timetable for Gonzalez to make a decision.
“We don’t have a deadline at all,” Dimitroff said. “But let’s face it that it’s important for us to know sooner rather than later because we have to move forward on all our decision-making.”
A 13-time pro-bowler who will turn 38 years old on Feb. 27, Gonzalez holds NFL records for touchdown receptions (107) and reception yards (14,268) by a tight end. He had 93 catches for 930 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
