Cesar Tordesillas

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has announced that he will return for a 17th NFL season, taking one last shot at the elusive Super Bowl trophy.

"I'm happy to say that after speaking with my family, I'm coming back," Gonzalez said on his Twitter account. "The lure of being on such a great team and organization, along with unbelievable fan support was too good to pass up".

"We have a great shot to get to the Super Bowl, RISE UP ATLANTA!" Gonzalez added.

Before his announcement, it was reported that Gonzalez had given his agent, Tom Condon, the green light to talk to the Falcons about a new contract.

Gonzalez's 19-yard reception on Matt Ryan's slant pass set up Matt Bryant's winning field goal for Atlanta's 30-28 divisional playoff win against Seattle.

The tight end wept after that first playoff win of his 16-season career. However, the celebration was short-lived as they lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game.

Gonzalez had 14 postseason catches, including two for touchdowns and had a 93-reception, 8-touchdown regular season. He earned $4.9 million last season.

Earlier, Gonzalez declared that last season could be his last. However, several persons, including former NFL quarterback Warren Moon, talked to him about coming back for a 17th season.

"I think he's going to come back. I think he's leaning very, very heavily that way,'' Moon told USA Today after having lunch with Gonzalez three weeks ago. "He definitely wants that ring -- that's the thing that keeps biting at him about whether he comes back or not.

However, Gonzalez will return to a different Falcons team as Michael Turner, John Abraham and Dunta Robinson were cut in moves to save salary cap room.

Falcons Tight End Gonzalez Returns for 17th Season