ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons have numerous difficult decisions to make in the coming offseason regarding free agents, but they made what must have been an easy one with Sunday's announcement that future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez had agreed to a one-year contract extension.
FOX's Jay Glazer reported that the deal was worth $7 million. The Falcons have among the least amount of salary cap space this season so to award Gonzalez such a lucrative deal indicates what the team believes his importance is to the offense.
For his own part, the 15-year veteran said last season when he had discussed retirement with his family, it was one conversation and he elected to return. He said this time it took three or four conversations, but that everything on his checklist came up positive.
"I was able to play pretty well, to play up to where I wanted to play this year and I feel healthy," said Gonzalez, who keeps himself in immaculate shape. "The sky's the limit with this team. I think we can get even better, going into next year. But that's next year and I'm not even going to worry about that. I'm going to make sure we finish business this year and hopefully get a couple of playoff wins and get on to that Super Bowl."
Gonzalez has never registered a playoff victory in his career.
In the offseason, Falcons veterans such as defensive end John Abraham and center Todd McClure will hit free agency, as will some young players such as starting safety Thomas DeCoud, giving Atlanta some tough decisions to make.
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, on the field before the game, told reporters that it was a "significant" deal and that the team's owner Arthur Blank was "incredibly generous" to get the extension done.
"It's a good start," Dimitroff said of impending free agency. "It makes things a lot easier to see where we're going."
Gonzalez was the Falcons' only Pro-Bowler this season in what has been a 10-6, playoff-qualifying season. Last season the Falcons sent seven players to the Pro-Bowl in a 13-3 regular season in which they were the top seed in the NFC for the playoffs.
The Falcons have made the playoffs now in two of Gonzalez's three seasons with the team. Evidently, he believes the Falcons still provide with a good chance to do so.
He said he thinks the Falcons' talent level is better this season than last, even if their record has not been.
"Maybe a little more inconsistent this year, but I think talent-wise, guys have grown up since last year," he said. "We've added a couple of key players and I think we're a better team, but right now it's playoff time. Anything can happen. We're going to go out there and let ‘er rip and see what happens."
This season Gonzalez, 35, has 79 receptions for 867 yards and seven touchdowns. His 1,144 catches rank second in league history and first among active players.
"I think Tony's in such great shape," Dimitroff said. "He came back this year in as good of a shape as he ever has, being in his golden years, so to speak. He is very, very comfortable with our coaching staff and (quarterback Matt Ryan) and our players.
"It was really important to get this done by the end of the season."
With the Falcons trading up in April's draft for wide receiver Julio Jones to become more explosive, Gonzalez is a key component in the team's ability to stretch the field. In addition, the Falcons have no heir apparent at tight end.
Along wide receiver Roddy White, an All-Pro last season, and running back Michael Turner, a top MVP vote-getter in 2008, the Falcons present difficult match-ups for opposing defenses. They entered Sunday ranking 11th in points-per-game, 10th in total offense and seventh in passing yards at 267.7 per game.
Gonzalez has often complimented Ryan, in his fourth season, saying he believes Ryan belongs among the league's elite. He did it again after Sunday's 45-24 win over Tampa Bay.
Gonzalez said he did think about free agency and what teams might need a player with his service. In the end, he felt it was best to remain in Atlanta.
"That's the thing I'm talking about it is if I wasn't able to sign back here, let's say I went back to free agency, what teams are out there?" he said. "To me, that wouldn't make any sense after I really thought about it. This is a comfortable match for me. I'm able to be productive in this offense, I love the quarterback. Obviously, Matt Ryan is a big part of that one. And the whole team-wise, coaching staff, (head coach Mike Smith) – I love Smitty. Mr. Blank, there's no better. Just a good situation with my family.
"Everything I went down the checklist, it just kept coming up fabulous for a reason. Why I would I want to go anywhere else when I know I'm on a top-five football team every year here in Atlanta?"
