Chiefs hold onto nine-time Pro Bowler Gonzalez at trade deadline

Published: Oct 14, 2008 at 05:23 PM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Tony Gonzalez is staying with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Just minutes after the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline on Tuesday, Kansas City coach Herm Edwards said no deal had been struck for the nine-time Pro Bowl tight end. His announcement ended 10 days of tension for the player and his fans in Kansas City, most of whom were hoping he would get what he wanted and be traded to a contender.

Gonzalez, 32, asked the Chiefs to explore trade possibilities after deciding the rebuilding Chiefs (1-4) would probably not reach championship caliber before time ran out on his career.

Neither Gonzalez nor Chiefs president Carl Peterson was available for comment. Edwards said he did not know how close Peterson came to reaching an agreement with anyone. Arizona, Buffalo and Philadelphia had all expressed interest. Peterson had indicated he would not let Gonzalez, who has been the face of the struggling franchise, go cheaply.

"He's going to be at practice tomorrow," Edwards said. "He's going to practice. That's what he's paid to do. He a professional football player."

The Chiefs, who were off last week, are home on Sunday against the unbeaten Tennessee Titans, and Edwards said he had not discussed the trade possibility with Gonzalez.

"Been watching Tennessee," he said. "Got enough problems trying to figure out how to make a first down against Tennessee."

Edwards declined to say if he had discussed the situation with Peterson, who was in Florida on Tuesday for the NFL Fall Meeting.

"Whatever we talk about as an organization, that is inside the organization," Edwards said. "I'm pretty sure (Peterson) will be back Wednesday or Thursday. You guys can talk to Carl."

Gonzalez, who has always had a knack for finding seams in a zone defense and is sometimes flanked out wide, holds the NFL all-time career tight end records with 841 catches, 10,075 yards receiving and 68 touchdown receptions.

A tireless worker, Gonzalez is often cited by coaches for the good example he sets for young players. Edwards said he was not worried that the 12-year pro would come back with a sour attitude.

"Tony's going to give 100 percent as a professional football player," Edwards said. "He always has. That's one thing you can count on him. He takes a lot of pride in being who he is. If not, he couldn't have achieved all the goals that he's achieved thus far in his career. I'm not worried about that."

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