It’s been nearly three weeks since the Kansas City Chiefs traded TE Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons, and now the nine-time Pro Bowler is speaking out about the circumstances surrounding the deal.

During a radio interview on Wednesday, Gonzalzez admitted to being discouraged while playing for a rebuilding Chiefs team that went 6-26 the last two seasons.

“It was incredibly, incredibly frustrating,” Gonzalez told 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City. “Obviously, last year, when I did ask for a trade, that was on my mind. It’s not that I didn’t believe in the team and believe in the direction it was going. It was just how quickly were we going to get there? That’s frustrating when you’re on a team with a bunch of young guys and you’re not winning.

“I wanted to be able to finish my career on a high note. With the Chiefs, I’m not saying we couldn’t get there and they’re not going to get there, it’s just that I wanted to get to a team that was established, that was going the right direction, that had immediate success. Then maybe finishing it on the note that I want to, which is winning a playoff game and going to the Super Bowl. I think I have that opportunity now with the Falcons.”

What Gonzalez didn’t want was a repeat of last offseason and the negativity that surrounded his status with the Chiefs. He said he met with Chiefs GM Scott Pioli and coach Todd Haley to dicuss the topic, but didn’t definitively request a trade.

“I said, ‘Look, I’m on board. If you guys want me here, I’m going to play ball for you.’” Gonzalez said. “But, having said that, I also said, ‘Look, if you guys want to trade me, go ahead and do it. I’m on board with that too.’”