Rivers hopes Chargers reconsider re-signing Gates: 'It would get my vote'

With his top tight end already ruled out for the 2018 season because of a torn ACL, Philip Rivers hopes the Los Angeles Chargers are receptive to the idea of bringing back Antonio Gates for a 16th season.

"I'd always be excited if he walked back in the door," Rivers said Tuesday of his longtime teammate, according to Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News.

The Chargers announced publicly at the end of April they would not re-sign Gates, a free agent who's spent his entire career with the franchise.

The 37-year-old was surpassed on the depth chart permanently last season by Hunter Henry, but the season-ending ACL injury suffered by Henry recently leaves the Chargers with a major hole at tight end.

"It would get my vote," Rivers added when asked about the possibility of reuniting with Gates for another campaign.

Even with his athletic abilities in decline, Gates has remained a reliable target in the short-passing game for Rivers over the past few seasons. The two have been Chargers teammates since 2004.

Gates, who notched 316 yards and three touchdowns receiving across 16 contests last season, hasn't appeared to attract significant interest as a free agent.