It's obvious Antonio Gates supports the NY Giants decision to fire Josh Brown -- telling TMZ Sports any player who becomes a distraction has gotta go ... period.
The Chargers superstar's real message here is that players are ALWAYS replaceable and on thin ice -- and if you blow your shot (whether it's domestic violence or anything else) ... too bad, so sad ... see ya.
Good news for Brown ... Gates doesn't think the kicker's career is necessarily over.
But let's get serious -- who's really gonna sign him now?