San Diego Chargers TEs Antonio Gates, Ladarius Green, David B. Johnson and John Phillips will all become free agents if they are not re-signed by March 9. Gates is expected to return, however.

Footballguys View: Gates seems like one of those players that is going to retire with the team he started with. The former basketball star was quite a find for the Chargers, and he proved last year that he’s still got something left in the tank. The Green experiment is over as he never played up to his potential with the Chargers. Phillips is a nice all-purpose tight end, but he does get banged up a lot. The position is clearly going to be one of emphasis in the offseason.