To the surprise of many Detroit Lions fans, the team traded first choice wide receiver Golden Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. In exchange, the Eagles will provide a third-round pick.
Less than a day after Tate tweeted he expected to complete the season at Detroit, the Lions let him go ahead of his final year in a 5-year contract he signed back in 2014. The decision came as a surprise to teammates and a section of fans who didn’t expect the 30-year-old to go.
He has been the team’s leading receiver since he joined Detroit after all. With 44 catches for 517 yards, the 30-year-old was the best receiver in Detroit, well ahead of Kenny Golladay whose record is 30 catches for 477 yards. Tate was also a fan favorite and a respected member by coaches in Detroit.
While speaking to the press ahead of the trade deadline, Coach Matt Patricia avoided speaking about Tate’s future with the Lions. Instead, he said Detroit had all the players they needed play competitively and the coaching staff was working for the Lions’ best interests.
“I mean, again, like I told you, we got all the players we have right now and we’re trying to game plan everybody that we have to get ready to go win,” Patricia said.
The Lions are 3-4 this season as will guests to the Vikings on Sunday. They recently traded Damon Harrison from the Giants and fielded his in Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Seahawks.
