The Detroit Lions seriously need to consider a reunion with Golden Tate

The Detroit Lions need to consider a reunion with Golden Tate.

The veteran pass-catcher, Golden Tate, is not the only big-name player still searching for an employer as the 2021 NFL season is set to begin.  At the time of this writing, joining Tate is the likes of Richard Sherman, Le’Veon Bell, Todd Gurley, Geno Atkins, Mitchell Schwartz, Kawann Short, and Russell Okung on the open market.

It appears like in many other professional leagues, we’re now experiencing a youth movement in the NFL, but Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers failed to get the memo.

As you can see, there are plenty of free-agent options still available, mostly for organizations looking to add depth and insurance with aspirations of making a playoff run this season.  The Detroit  Lions certainly don’t fit those criteria this season. Still, I feel they are doing their 26-year old signal-caller wrong by not providing him with another proven option at the receiver position.

More from Detroit Jock City

• Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
• Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
• Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
• This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
• 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings

As of now, the Detroit Lions will begin the season with Tyrell Williams, Quintez Cephus, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, Tom Kennedy, Trinity Benson, and KhaDarel Hodge as their group of receivers.  You can’t make this stuff up.  I’m sorry, but this is the worst combined group of receivers on an NFL roster maybe ever.

At this point, Tyrell Williams is the lone trustworthy receiver on the Detroit Lions roster, and take that with a grain of salt.  Williams will be asked to be the number one receiver this season, but at best is a WR2, and more like a WR3 on a playoff team these days.

I am very optimistic with what I’ve seen out of rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown, and so is Golden Tate, for that matter, but let’s allow him to grow and develop rather than expect Calvin Johnson-like numbers from St. Brown in year one.

Earlier this summer Tate was reacting to St. Brown hurtling a would-be tackler in practice, and it definitely resembled plays that Tate has regularly made throughout his luxurious career.

The Detroit Lions are going into the season snakebitten at the receiver position even before injuries occur.  What the heck is going to happen if Williams, Cephus, or St. Brown go down with an injury?  Yikes.

Golden Tate is past his prime, but the Detroit Lions need to consider a reunion.

Tate is known as a precise route runner from the slot, and with St. Brown and Cephus poised to work inside, the team has more of a need on the outside, but I’m sure Goff wouldn’t be opposed to adding the dependable Tate inside and bumping Cephus outside the numbers.

The 33-year old receiver’s numbers have steadily decreased over the past three seasons, but let’s not forget where he had been playing.  The New York Giants have not exactly had a stellar option at the quarterback position over the last couple of seasons.

Last year Tate compiled 35 catches totaling 388 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games.  Tate played in 11 games the year prior, recording 49 grabs on 85 targets totaling 676 yards and six scores.

The veteran pass-catcher may opt for an opportunity with a playoff contender rather than be a bridge receiver or mentor with the Lions. Still, general manager Brad Holmes is doing his quarterback a disservice if he doesn’t at least reach out to the free agent.