Gates on Bosa's rookie holdout: 'You've got to be a man'

Antonio Gates thinks it's about time his first-round rookie teammate got himself to training camp.

As Joey Bosa's contract dispute with the San Diego Chargers continues with seemingly no end in sight almost two weeks into summer practices, the veteran tight end says the need to prepare for the season can't be overlooked.

"My advice to any player that's going through any kind of contract situation is that, at one point, you've got to be a man and you've got to understand that you've got to get ready to play," Gates told Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Gates, of course, is no stranger to holding out. The former undrafted free agent elected for a standoff of his own following a breakout sophomore season in 2004, staying away from camp the following summer until mid-August.

He and his representation had been seeking a multi-year pact, but Gates eventually decided to settle for a one-year deal to put an end to his absence.

"Eventually, I ended up saying, 'I need to get ready,'" Gates said. "To me, it meant a lot for me to go out and perform."

The issues remaining in negotiations between Bosa and the Chargers reportedly involve offset language and the deferral of a signing bonus. It remains to be seen whether it will be the player or team that gives in and budges first.

Provided that he reports in time to get enough preseason reps, Bosa is expected to take on a primary front-seven role as a rookie. The two-time Consensus All-American compiled an impressive 26 sacks and 51 tackles for a loss in three seasons at Ohio State.

- With h/t to Pro Football Talk