Chargers lock up Antonio Gates

[Mooche]

Chargers signed TE Antonio Gates to a five-year, $36.175 million extension, including $20.4 million guaranteed.
Gates, who'd been slated for a contract year, is now under control through the 2015 season. He'll be 35 at that point, so it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that Gates could finish the contract. A six-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All Pro, and probable Hall of Famer, Gates has been a top-four fantasy tight end in each of his six seasons as a starter. With Gates done, Chargers GM A.J. Smith's attention will turn to disgruntled LT Marcus McNeill. Jul. 28 - 7:52 pm et
Source: Chris Mortensen on Twitter

They paid the man a lot of money, that is easy to see. I am not sure he will continue to be playing at a high level through the last two years of the contract or so, but right now he is still among the elite in the NFL TE department.