Just hours before the start of free agency, Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez called coach Mike Smith on Tuesday to inform him that he wanted to return for his 17th season in the NFL.
Smith, general manager Thomas Dimitroff, owner Arthur Blank and quarterback Matt Ryan, all took turns over the offseason letting Gonzalez know that he was more than welcome to return.
After discussing his situation with his family, Gonzalez decided that he would continue to play and try to help the Falcons earn a Super Bowl victory.
“It’s good to be back,” said Gonzalez, who agreed to terms in principle with the team.
Also Tuesday, left tackle Sam Baker agreed to terms on a six-year contract. The Falcons said they expect longtime center Todd McClure to announce his retirement.
Smith was elated to receive the early-morning phone call from Gonzalez.
“We got better as a football team,” Smith said. “Our goal each and every offseason is to get better as a team. I can assure you this, we are a lot better football team.”
“This is the right time and the right place for him to finish,” Dimitroff said. “We are excited that he decided to make the move. The deal is not done, but it will be done quickly.”
Dimitroff, who took a break from working the phones, said that the team will continue to focus on re-signing its own players.
“This is a very important moving part,” Dimitroff said of Gonzalez’s return. “We talked from the beginning about signing our players versus going out and going hog wild in free agency. That’s always been our approach. I believe that with getting Tony (back), now we can continue to focus on other areas and some of the players that we need to sign from our present roster.”
After releasing Michael Turner, the Falcons are in the market for a running back. Steven Jackson and Rashard Mendenhall are top free-agent targets. Also, free-agent defensive linemen Dwight Freeney and Osi Umenyiora were discussed by the team. There was one report that former defensive lineman Richard Seymour, a former Georgia Bulldog, is an option.
Gonzalez’s cap number last season was $5.9 million. He will be in line for a modest raise that should land him a contract between $6.5 million and $7 million.
Last season, Gonzalez, who recently turned 37, had a stellar season. He caught 107 passes for 1,069 yards and 10 touchdowns in 18 games. He made one of the big catches that helped the Falcons get into field-goal range for their game-winning kick against Seattle in the NFC divisional playoff win.
Gonzalez was aware of the team’s desire to know about his status for 2013 “sooner rather than later,” according to Smith.
Perhaps, the happiest person to hear the news was Ryan.
“He’s just the consummate professional,” Ryan said on 790 The Zone before playing a round of golf. “He’s a great leader for us and just an unbelievable player out on the field. He just never ceases to amaze me.
“He’s extremely consistent, incredibly physically gifted and has a great work ethic. I’m just excited to have him back.”
Ryan didn’t mind serving as the lead recruiter.
“I’ve talked to him quite a bit,” Ryan said. “More than just being a great teammate … he’s a great friend of mine, too.”
The Falcons reached the NFC Championship game and lost to the San Francisco 49ers 28-24, one step from the Super Bowl.
Before last season, Gonzalez had never won a playoff game. It was just too tough for him to walk away after coming that close to the Super Bowl.
Gonzalez is the NFL’s second-leading receiver all-time behind Jerry Rice. He has 1,242 catches and has been to 13 Pro Bowls.
“I am coming back for one reason and one reason only, the chance to win a Super Bowl,” Gonzalez told foxsports.com.
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