Source: Chiefs TE Gonzalez wants trade

[March 25, 2009]  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Contrary to remarks by Kansas City owner Clark Hunt, Tony Gonzalez wants to be traded if the right deal can be made, a person close to the Pro Bowl tight end told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Asking not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the subject, the person said Gonzalez was surprised that Hunt had said the Chiefs were definitely not going to trade their 10-time Pro Bowler.

"If the right deal can be made, Tony very much wants the Chiefs to trade him," the person said. "Tony is not demanding a trade. Tony cherishes the time he's spent with the Chiefs and he loves the way he's always been treated by the fans there. But he knows of some other teams that would be interested in him and if the right deal can be made, he wants it to be made."

A Chiefs spokesman said Hunt could not be immediately reached. At the owners' meeting in Dana Point, Calif., on Monday, Hunt said the Chiefs had decided not to deal Gonzalez, whose many NFL records includes the most catches, yards receiving and touchdown receptions by a tight end.

"We certainly will not seek a trade for Tony," Hunt told The Kansas City Star. "I think he's excited about the changes we've made here. I think he recognizes that with Todd (Haley) as the head coach, we're going to have an exciting offense and one that will feature the passing game."

Since the end of a 2-14 season, the Chiefs have installed Scott Pioli as general manager and Haley as head coach.

The 33-year-old Gonzalez asked to be traded last October. But then-general manager Carl Peterson said no team that Gonzalez was willing to go to made a good enough offer.

The only tight end in NFL history selected to 10 Pro Bowls, Gonzalez was usually double-teamed last year but still caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns. He plans on playing at least one more season and possibly two.

"If the Chiefs can't make a deal with the right team, then Tony will be fine with that," The AP was told. "He is not demanding a trade. But if the right deal can be made, he very much would like to be traded."

[Associated Press; By DOUG TUCKER]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.