Kansas City Chiefs: 4 free agents who could help right now
By Matt Conner
Antonio Gates, tight end
It seems weird that Antonio Gates is still a free agent. The Los Angeles Chargers legend is still available despite the fact that the very team who knows him best is thin at the position. Rumors have swirled that the pair will be reunited ever since Hunter Henry went down with a season-ending injury back in May, but still nothing has come to fruition.
Enter the Chiefs. The entire fan base seems ready to move on from Demetrius Harris at this point given the drop rate exhibited over the years despite the strong points he brings to the offense. Absolutely none of the guys trying for the third tight end spot should be considered for the second. From here, it’s either Harris or an outsider. But who could possibly come in and immediately be an upgrade this late in the summer?
That’s where Gates would be the perfect addition. He’s a true professional and potential future Hall of Fame candidate who already knows the division inside and out. There’s nothing Andy Reid’s offense would throw at Gates that he hasn’t already seen before, and imagine the two tight end sets with Travis Kelce and Gates for Patrick Mahomes. Who could possibly cover that with all of the other potential targets out there?
You can shake your head at signing a 38-year-old, but just last year he had 30 catches for 316 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Coming from such a dependable target, including one that would rob a division rival, that sounds like a wonderful TE2 option to me.