Tony Gonzalez Traded to the Falcons

Tony Gonzalez is the face of the Kansas City Chiefs franchise. Or was, at least -- according to Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com, and recently confirmed by the Chiefs, Gonzalez was traded today to the Atlanta Falcons.

Glazer's report states that the Chiefs gave up Gonzalez for a second-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Gonzalez asked for a trade in October, spurred on mainly by his desire to play out his career with a contender instead of the rebuilding and Tyler Thigpen-quarterbacked Chiefs. And apparently, even landing Matt Cassel from the Patriots wasn't enough for Gonzalez to be happy in KC, so the Chiefs acquiesced.

However, his importance to the Chiefs' organization and its history was expressed, um, succinctly by new GM Scott Pioli:

"From an organizational as well as personal standpoint there are mixed emotions," said Scott Pioli, General Manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, in announcing the trade. "I have the highest personal and professional respect for Tony and consider him to be a future Pro Football Hall of Famer."

Okay, he provably deserves a little bit more love than that, but in fairness to Pioli, it's not like he has a ton of loyalty to anyone on the roster other than Cassel. The Chiefs did well to procure anything for a disgruntled 32-year old tight end on the downside of his career. For the Falcons, it works out nicely as well because Matt Ryan has a reliable safety-valve target to utilize in his second year.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-23-2009 @ 3:43PM

Hugh Howard said...

The Falcons have acquired a tight end who in his prime was the best receiving tight end in the game. At 33 he could still potentially have 4 or 5 great seasons with the Falcons. Great Pickup!

4-23-2009 @ 3:56PM

bhos said...

Win for Falcons, lose for KC. Gonzo makes immediate impact in ATL, KC gets nothing until 2010 draft... and if ATL does good this year then that 2010 2nd round pick will be a late draft pick on top of that.

gary321916 said...

GOOD LUCK TONY G.HOPE YOU HAVE MANY OUTSTANDING YEARS IN ATLANTA.YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN THE CHIEFS FANS HEART.I`LL BE IN CANTON WHEN YOU GET ELECTED.

4-23-2009 @ 4:05PM

horatiowrd said...

the NFC South now has as starting TEs: Tony Gonzalez, Jeremy Shockey, Kellen Winslow.

The league should mandate the Chargers trade Antonio Gates to the Panthers.

4-23-2009 @ 5:14PM

Harpie said...

Yay for the Falcons!!!!!!

4-23-2009 @ 10:53PM

KC816 said...

TG-Kansas City will miss you! I hope this is truly what you wanted. You have such a huge fan base in KC and we support you no matter what. I hope you go far with Atlanta, but always keep KC in your heart. I'll miss seeing you at Arrowhead on game day! Best wishes.