Antonio Gates, who made a late comeback to the Los Angeles Chargers this year, says he wants to continue to play football next season.

"I just don't see myself walking away with this taste," Gates said after his team's 41-28 loss to the New England Patriots. "And plus this team. I think when you add Hunter [Henry] back, and hopefully we get Jason Verrett back -- shoot, the sky's the limit. And I want to be a part of it.

"But that has to be a collective decision. I can't just want to come back. So we'll see how it goes."

The Chargers brought Gates, 38, back after Hunter Henry tore his ACL in May.