Detroit Lions news: Eric Ebron's option has been picked up

Detroit Lions news discusses the news that the team has picked up Eric Ebron‘s option before taking a look at what else is going on around the web.

During his pre-draft press conference, Detroit Lions general manager admitted a possibility that the draft would have an impact on the team’s decision on what to do with Eric Ebron’s fifth-year option. The Lions did draft a tight end – Michael Roberts in the fourth round – but he’s a different type of tight end.

So, not surprisingly, the Lions have announced that they have picked up Ebron’s option, keeping him under contract in Detroit through 2018.

The Detroit Lions announced today that they have exercised the fifth-year option on the contract of TE Eric Ebron. pic.twitter.com/hmx6qsQhXw
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 2, 2017

Bob Quinn told 97.1 The Ticket this morning that his mind was made up last week but wanted to get through the draft before making it official.

Ebron has been a polarizing player since being drafted tenth overall in 2014. That’s partly due to things out of his control, like being selected by the previous front office ahead of guys like Aaron Donald and Odell Beckham, and things in his control like a propensity to drop the football.

However, Ebron has improved in each season and his draft standing is water under the bridge. There’s nothing anyone can do about that, and all that matters is that Ebron is still a player with greater potential even as his production continues to rise.

Picking up the option hardly represents a long-term commitment so the Lions keep a young improving player under team control for the next two seasons. At the very least, the Lions have done well to keep their options open.