ATLANTA — The Falcons acquired tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Chiefs on Thursday for a draft pick next year.
The Falcons will send a second-round pick in 2010 to Kansas City in exchange for Gonzalez, the only tight end in NFL history selected to 10 Pro Bowls.
Gonzalez, 33, caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. He owns NFL career records for tight ends with 916 receptions, 10,940 yards receiving, 76 TDs receiving and 26 100-yard receiving games.
“I love Kansas City,” Gonzalez said. “The fans have been unbelievable to me. I’m going to miss them. This is a happy day for me, but in many ways it’s a sad day, too. I’m going to miss running out that tunnel and seeing that sea of red in those stands. . . . But I’m looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta every year for the next three or four years.”
Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli said the Chiefs, 2-14 in 2008, did not pursue a trade for Gonzalez but agreed when Atlanta offered a second-round pick.
When asked how he would replace Gonzalez, new Chiefs coach Todd Haley said, “I don’t know I have a direct answer for that right now.”
Panthers extend Delhomme through 2014
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers gave Jake Delhomme a five-year, $42.5 million extension that keeps the 34-year-old quarterback under contract through the 2014 season.
“It’s all about being able to know that I can finish my career here in Carolina,” Delhomme said. “That’s what I’ve wanted, all I’ve ever wanted.”
The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money and clears much needed salary cap space for Carolina. Delhomme was to count for more than $10 million under the cap next season in the final year of his deal.
Footnotes.
Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne agreed to an undisclosed restructured contract, which will give the Colts more room under this year’s salary cap.
• Longtime Colts punter Hunter Smith will join the Redskins next season, his agent said.
• The Cowboys signed their final three free agents: receiver Miles Austin, running back Alonzo Coleman and tight end Rodney Hannah.
• The Eagles signed restricted free-agent receiver Hank Baskett to a one-year contract. Baskett had a career-high 33 catches for 440 yards and three touchdowns last season. The Associated Press
