Philadelphia

Free Agent Golden Tate Wants to Be Back With Eagles, But It Doesn't Make Sense

Golden Tate played a total of 10 games in an Eagles uniform after being acquired at the trade deadline for a third-round pick. 

There's a good chance that's a wrap on his Eagles career. 

Tate will be 31 by the start of next season and for most of his time in Philadelphia, he didn't quite live up to his normal standard of production. Add that to the fact that the Eagles already have a pretty sizable portion of their salary cap tied up at the receiver position next season and it doesn't seem likely that Tate will be back. 

Although, he's hoping he is. 

I really hope it's not coming to an end for forever," Tate told reporters on Monday in the Eagles' locker room. "In a short time period, I've had a bunch of great memories, whether it be with my teammates out to dinner or celebrating big wins or going to Sixers games or spending time with my family. Something I'll definitely always value. Coming into the situation, I always heard that this locker room is tight-knitted, bunch of high-character guys and I'm pretty honored to be able to experience it for 10, 11 weeks or whatever it is.

Next season, Alshon Jeffery will have a cap number of $14.75 million and Nelson Agholor will have a cap hit of $9.4 million if he plays the season on the fifth-year option the Eagles picked up last spring. So that's already nearly $25 million for two receivers. 

To put that into perspective, the Eagles' cap hit for their entire group of receivers in 2018 was just under $17 million, according to OverTheCap. Only five teams in 2018 allocated more than $25 million for their wide receiver corps. 

Tate's last contract came in 2014, when he signed a five-year, $31 million deal with the Lions. But he's in his 30s now and his priorities might be a little different these days. 

I want to get back to going deep in the playoffs and winning Super Bowls. In Detroit, I've had a bunch of really great stats but no playoff wins. I know what talent I have and I know what I bring to the table, but at the end of the day, it's about winning playoff games and getting to Super Bowls. And that's what I want to do. With me going into Year 10, the stats … they're whatever.

Meanwhile, the Eagles probably need to find some vertical speed this offseason. Mike Wallace was supposed to be that guy, but injury prevented it. Tate isn't that kind of player. 

Tate on Monday said he was hoping to not have to think about pending free agency for a few more weeks, but the Eagles lost on Sunday and now here we are. 

He isn't quite sure what's going to happen.

"Who knows?" Tate said. "Maybe I don't even get to that point. Maybe I'm here and we'll see."

That doesn't seem likely either, but crazier things have happened. 

It's pretty clear that Tate enjoyed his time in Philadelphia, but after his limited production and after the offensive coaching staff failed to utilize him to his potential, and because the financial aspect - as it stands - doesn't really work, it seems like Tate will be moving on. 

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