Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd stated all season long that this would be his last NFL campaign, but some speculated that his recent shoulder injury, thought to be a season-ender, could throw that plan into flux. On Tuesday, teammate Antonio Gates became the latest to question the finality of Floyd’s decision. However, Floyd has put all of that talk to bed.
“Means a lot from my big brother but I’m still sticking to the original plan,” Floyd said of Gates’ words of encouragement (via Annie Heilbrunn of Mighty 1090).
Floyd, 33, has been a Charger since joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2004, but had one of the most productive seasons of his long career in 2014. Starting all 16 games for the first time, Floyd caught 52 balls and matched career highs with 856 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The performance increased Floyd’s career totals to 291 receptions, 4,989 yards, and 31 TDs. In 2015, Floyd reeled in 21 catches for 409 yards and three touchdowns before the shoulder injury.
The 2016 offseason may represent a major transition period for the Chargers, whose future as a franchise in San Diego is uncertain. Besides Floyd, longtime Chargers like Gates and Eric Weddle are in the final year of their respective contracts as well.