Antonio Gates is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, catching 955 passes for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns — all with the Chargers.
On Saturday afternoon, the 16-year NFL veteran will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While Gates had a legendary career, how much money did he earn from his NFL contracts, and what is his net worth?
What Are Antonio Gates’ Net Worth and Career Earnings?
Gates’ net worth is estimated to be $35 million. As for his career earnings, he made $71.364 million from his NFL contracts alone. This doesn’t factor in his endorsement deals and other off-field ventures.
Gates went undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft before signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent ahead of that season. His first contract in the NFL was a two-year deal worth just $537,000, with just $7,000 guaranteed.
In his second season, Gates would earn first-team All-Pro honors thanks to 964 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Following the 2004 season, he signed a six-year deal with the Chargers worth $22.5 million. In the first two years of that contract, he would be selected as a first-team All-Pro in both seasons.
Throughout that six-year deal, Gates would be selected as a first-team All-Pro twice and elected to the Pro Bowl for five straight years. In 2009, the fifth year of the deal, Gates was selected as a second-team All-Pro. Ahead of the 2010 season, he signed a six-year extension worth a further $36.175 million.
one of the greatest to ever do it at TE 🫡 @AntonioGates85
HOF Enshrinement — Aug. 2 on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/IpCQOvxNw2— NFL (@NFL) July 22, 2025
Gates was again selected for the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2011, also earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2010. He played out the full terms of his six-year extension. Gates became a free agent, but re-signed with the Chargers for two more years for a total of $11 million. The final year of his career came in 2018 after signing another one-year deal with the team.
By the end of his career, Gates had earned more than $71 million, which ranks seventh all-time among tight ends. Gates earned slightly more than Rob Gronkowski, who earned just under $71 million over the course of his 11-year career.
It’s interesting to think how much Gates could have earned if he had hit the open market during the first 10 years of his career. His second contract in 2005 was signed as an exclusive rights free agent, and then his contract extension in 2010 came with a year remaining on his deal.
Gates holds the NFL record for most career touchdowns by a tight end (116) while ranking fourth all-time at the position in receiving yards (11,841) and receptions (955).
