Mike Smith has said that he hopes Tony Gonzalez decides not to retire after the current NFL season.

The Atlanta Falcons tight end has said that he is 95% certain that this will be his last year in the league.

The Falcons head coach told reporters: "I'm always holding on to that five percent. It's something that you've got to hold onto.

"Tony has had an outstanding year. I don't think it's any different than his Pro Bowl years that he's had early in his career.

"He has a great understanding of how to play the tight end position. In my mind, he's the best that's ever played."

The 36-year-old has never won a playoff game during his 16 seasons in the NFL.

The Falcons, who finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC, face the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday in the divisional round of the playoffs.