Report: Giants, Lions had conversations about an unlikely trade for Kenny Golladay

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay has played up to expectations in 2020, and it has only caused more consternation to fans about the future with his team.

Golladay is on the final year of his rookie deal and due for a big pay raise that could see him in the $18-21 million per year range. Because the Lions typically get their deals done in the offseason, there is concern that whenever Golladay gets his next contract, it may not be in Detroit.

And then there’s this:

According to ESPN’s Giants reporter Jordan Raanan, the New York Giants inquired about a trade for Golladay with the Lions.

“I had heard something about this last week,” Raanan said on his Breaking Big Blue with Jordan Raanan podcast. “There was at least some conversation about the Giants talking to the Lions about wide receiver Kenny Golladay. My understanding is that it did happen in some shape or form.”

Now, before you go panicking about the Lions having Golladay on the block, that’s not exactly what Raanan said. He specifically said the Giants were talking to the Lions. He gives no indication on how deep talks got or how serious either side was of making the move. And he seems to imply the Giants initiated talks. That’s important.

He says, too, that this deal is almost certainly not going to happen, mainly because it would be insanity on the Lions’ part.

“Forget the fact that the Detroit Lions aren’t trading anybody right now,” Raanan said. “They’re trying to win. Matt Patricia’s trying to save his job. He’s not trading his best offensive weapon.”

So for now, it looks like Golladay is safe, and that makes complete sense in this context. The 1-6 Giants shouldn’t be looking to trade for a player on an expiring contract, and the people running the Lions can’t afford to move him in the middle of a pivotal season. Still, this whole situations seems strange to say the least.

The NFL’s trade deadline is set at 4 p.m. ET next Tuesday.