"This year, the Chiefs prepared for the eventuality of replacing Tony Gonzalez by spending one of their three third-round draft picks on Tennessee tight end Brad Cottam.

That day could come sooner than they thought, as Gonzalez has asked the Chiefs to explore trade possibilities and they have fielded calls about his availability.

Gonzalez, a nine-time Pro Bowler who has been with the Chiefs since he was drafted in 1997, would like a chance to contend for a championship before his Hall of Fame career comes to a close. The NFL trade deadline, which rarely sees much action, is Tuesday.

The Chiefs appeared pessimistic they could reach a deal for Gonzalez by then. The New York Giants have been the most interested in making a trade, but the sides were far apart on the compensation.

The Chiefs were asking for a third-round pick, and the Giants offered a sixth-rounder.

Green Bay and Buffalo are other teams that may be interested in Gonzalez.

Gonzalez is 32 years old, and the sense of urgency to play for a contender has never been greater. If he stays with the rebuilding Chiefs, who will be a young team for several years, he may lose his chance.

“I’m winding down in my career and I’m thinking this is not what I signed on for last year when I redid my deal,” Gonzalez said in August, before the season started. “It is what it is. There’s nothing we can do about it.

“That’s another thing that weighs on my mind all the time, and that’s part of the frustration. … I haven’t even won a playoff game. That’s the reality of it. You can look back and say you had a pretty good career, but I want to be able to say I went to the playoffs, I won some playoff games and I went to the Super Bowl.”"