Tony Gonzalez to be a free agent this offseason

[GTripp0012]

Per Jay Glazer of foxsports.com via profootballtalk:

CHIEFS WON'T FRANCHISE GONZALEZ

Word out of Kansas City is that the Chiefs won't place the franchise tag on tight end Tony Gonzalez, who is expected to void the final two years of his current contract after the 2006 season and become a free agent.

Jay Glazer of FOX reported on Sunday that Gonzalez can leave Kansas City after the season if he so chooses. The rest of the "real" media, however, has ignored the story.

Although the franchise tender for tight ends is low (it was only $3.3 million for 2006), the CBA states that the amount that the team must put on the table to trigger the franchise rights (i.e., first refusal on any other offers and compensation in the amount of two first-round draft picks) is either the average of the top five salaries at the position or 120 percent of the player's salary for the prior year, whichever is greater.

And although some league insiders believe that "salary" means Paragraph 5 base salary only, it actually means the player's full cap number, which is base salary plus bonus proration and any other payments made in a given season.

In Gonzalez's case, we've learned that his cap number for 2006 is $6.53 million. Thus, the Chiefs would be required to offer Gonzalez $7.83 million in order to hold his rights for 2007.

Given the magnitude of the number, we're told that the Chiefs won't use the tag on Gonzalez.

Moving forward, our guess is that Gonzalez will become a free agent in March 2007, and that he will strongly consider leaving for another team if he gets an offer significantly higher than what the Chiefs will pay.

The Redskins can always be counted on to throw cash at a recognizable name. The Raiders are an intriguing possibility, given that Gonzalez played college ball at Berkeley. Other potential destinations (in our view) include the Jets, the Texans, the Vikings, the Lions, the Panthers, the Saints, and the Seahawks.


Obviously, it seems like this would be a perfect fit. It would allow us to use a two TE set effectively, and although Cooley's production would certainly get cut, it seems like the kind of move that could help a young QB like Jason Campbell, and could help open holes for CP in the running game, even though Gonzo isnt the best blocking TE.

[Big C]

i thought the sauders offense didnt use 2 TE, they had richardson at FB in KC. i may be wrong on that. but anyways, gonzalez will be 31 next year i think. he has talent, but his career isnt going int he right direction to spill a big contract on him. it would also cut mike sellers from a lot of playing time

[wilsowilso]

Not again! No signing players over 30 period!

[illdefined]

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

Not again! No signing players over 30 period!

here. f**king here.

unless they fill a gaping wound like Vincent did. or they're a kicker.

[dmek25]

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

Not again! No signing players over 30 period!

no, no, and no again. we have a young stud( cooley) at tight end that should be a stud for years. and as much as brunell cant get the ball to cooley, ditto for gonzales

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I would think we acquire some picks somehow and draft a great blocking TE out of college for once.

[Twilbert07]

Originally Posted by dmek25

no, no, and no again. we have a young stud( cooley) at tight end that should be a stud for years. and as much as brunell cant get the ball to cooley, ditto for gonzales

I agree. We have too many people past their prime. Bring on the younger players and let them play here for years.

[skinnyfan]

I say give him 30 mil. Seems to be working for us this year.

[jdlea]

The problem isn't the guys running routes, it's the guy throwing the ball. Having Lloyd, Moss, Randle El, Cooley, and then to a lesser extent: Sellers, Patten and Portis, there's no need to grab Gonzales. I think the biggest thing is we need to find out if Campbell could spread the ball around the way Brunell isn't. That's far more important than getting more targets. Right now, the Skins have got too many guys that aren't getting the ball. Totally unnecessary.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

Not again! No signing players over 30 period!

I second that. We don't need an aging former pro bowler. We have enough weapons on offense. We just need someone a little more capable of pulling the trigger. Gonzo is a great player and may have good days left but we have other pressing needs. I think Cooley offers us similar production if used right and he is younger and cheaper probably.

[724Skinsfan]

If Gonzo can improve our secondary, run D, pass rush, blitz pickup, third down efficiency, linebacker play and QB consistency then I'm all for picking him up. Oh yeah, if he can kick and punt as well.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I would think we acquire some picks somehow and draft a great blocking TE out of college for once.

I wish...

Great blocking TE's can be found late (where ya know, we still have picks) because they are grossly underrated in college.

[MTK]

We have other more pressing needs. We don't need another receiving TE, Cooley is just fine if we used him more.

[The Zimmermans]

there's a reason the chiefs arent gonna resign him, he's 31!!!!!

[MTK]

I don't think his age has as much to do with it as this:

...the Chiefs would be required to offer Gonzalez $7.83 million in order to hold his rights for 2007.

Given the magnitude of the number, we're told that the Chiefs won't use the tag on Gonzalez.

Nearly $8M for a TE? I think most teams would pass no matter who the guy is.