UPDATE 5:31 pm ET: The Lions are reportedly looking for a “mid-round pick” for Golden Tate according to Herbie Teope of NFL.com.
The Golden Tate era with the Lions could be coming to an end sooner rather than later.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, the Lions have been taking trade calls in recent days concerning the veteran wide out. However despite the interest that may be out there, Pelissero notes that the Lions would have to be ‘blown away’ by an offer.
A couple notes from The Aftermath with 24 hours until trade deadline: #Raiders still shopping veterans, including Bruce Irvin, and keep an eye on Golden Tate, though the #Lions would have to be blown away to move him. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/nAZW6d35bQ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 29, 2018
Via Rotowire:
Detroit is just one game back from first place in the tightly contested NFC North, but a trade isn’t the craziest idea given that the 30-year-old slot receiver is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season. The team would still have a decent wideout group led by Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay, though neither seems capable of filling Tate’s shoes as a high-volume possession receiver. Tate is on pace for a 101-1,182-7 receiving line on 158 targets, seeking a fifth consecutive season with 90 or more catches. Assuming he sticks around with his current team, Tate will draw a tricky matchup Week 9 at Minnesota. A trade would leave TJ Jones as the No. 3 wide receiver in an offense that finally seems to have achieved some semblance of run-pass balance.
As mentioned, Golden Tate a talented, yet aging receiver is in the final year of his deal and typically speaking would have been signed by now if there was any great interest by the Lions to keep him around. Not to say that they won’t end up handing over a contract extension it just seems given the aforementioned extension to Theo Riddick, Marvin Jones being signed through the 2020 season and having Kenny Golladay in tow, it wouldn’t be surprising in the least bit to see Tate as the odd man out in this instance.
