Lions Trade WR Golden Tate To Eagles

Golden Tate is Philly-bound. The Lions wide receiver broke the news of his own trade via Twitter

It’s been real DETROIT! I’ll love ya forever. Philly Philly let’s get it!!,” Tate tweeted.

The Eagles will send a third-round pick to the Lions in exchange for the 30-year-old. Tate is in the final year of his contract and profiles as a rental for the free-spending defending champs, but GM Howie Roseman has no qualms about making aggressive moves near the trade deadline.

In seven games this year, Tate has 44 catches for 517 yards and three touchdowns. He’s on pace for numbers that are similar to his 2016 and 2017 stat lines, but the Lions couldn’t resist the offer of a high draft pick for the veteran. By moving Tate, they’ll open up more opportunities for the younger Kenny Golladay while also getting Marvin Jones more involved in the passing game.

With a 4-4 record, the Eagles felt compelled to upgrade the roster. It could be argued that wide receiver should not have been the Eagles’ top priority this week, but no one can argue with the club’s talent at the position after the trade. Alshon Jeffery is back in action, Jordan Matthews is contributing, Mike Wallace could be nearing a late-season return, and Tate is now in the fold to put them over the top.

Nicknamed “Showtime,” Tate is known for his tenacity and ability to eek out tough yards after drawing initial contact. He also offers the ability to play on the outside or the inside. This year, 25 of his 44 catches came from the slot.

If the trade works out as well as last year’s Jay Ajayi swap, then Roseman will be happy. Ajayi, acquired from the Dolphins for a fourth-round pick, led the Eagles in rushing yards in the playoffs on the way to the Super Bowl.

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