The Detroit Lions are going to hold onto an extra bit of cap space for their draft class and for in-season emergencies, general manager Bob Quinn admitted as much this week at the NFL owners meetings.
“We always leave a buffer,” Quinn said. “I’m not going to get into specifics about how much, but there’s practice squad salaries, there’s draft picks, there’s injury replacements during the season, there’s possible extensions in training camp.”
It’s that last one specifically that may catch the ear of one receiver named Golden Tate. Tate is entering the final year of his contract, and he has already made it public that he’d like to get an extension... last year.
Quinn admitted that there hasn’t been any talks with Tate about an upcoming extension, but said that those kind of conversations are usually saved for the summer.
But we here at Pride of Detroit don’t want to wait that long. So today’s Question of the Day is:
Should the Lions give Golden Tate an extension this offseason?
My answer: As much as I love Golden Tate and believe how talented and integral of a player he has been since joining the Lions in 2014, I just don’t think an extension is in the cards.
This free agency period alone shows just how pricey wide receivers can be. Sammy Watkins (3,052 career yards) just got $16 million a year. Marqise Lee, a No. 2 receiver, was handed a four-year, $38.5 million deal, which is more than Marvin Jones Jr. is averaging per year. Golden Tate is almost certainly going to cash in at least one more time.
But in 2019, Tate will be 31 years old. The best aspects of his game—his speed and agility—will be on the decline by then, if they aren’t already. The Lions have an up-and-coming receiver on the roster in Kenny Golladay, who is on a cheap rookie contract. Soon, Golladay’s play will demand more targets and attention, and some of that will likely come at the expense of Tate’s past heavy production.
Golden Tate has been one of the Lions’ best players over the past four year—maybe the best. 90 catches in back-to-back-to-back-to-back seasons is truly amazing, and he should be part of the conversation for best Lions receivers in franchise history.
But when making a business decision like a contract extension, you have to base your choices on the future, not the past. The future of the Lions’ offense will not include Tate for very long, and that may not make Tate very happy, but it’s the right move for the team. And Tate will end up getting his in free agency anyways.
Your turn.