Golden Tate lauds Patriots, admits he’d ‘love it’ to ‘catch a few passes from old Tommy Boy’
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Golden Tate of the Detroit Lions makes a catch over Jonathan Jones of the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Ford Field. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Golden Tate is hungry for another Super Bowl ring. So the Patriots would presumably rank as the veteran receiver’s most logical destination.
Tate is set to hit unrestricted free agency when the league year begins on March 13. Despite being 31 years old, he’s still as dynamic as any slot receiver in the NFL. So he will certainly have suitors – and it stands to reason that the receiver-needy Patriots will at least explore the possibility of signing him.
Well, Tate fully admits that he would take Bill Belichick’s call. When asked about the Pats in a new interview with ex-NFL wideout Earl Bennett on the Prostyle Podcast, Tate didn’t hold back on how excited he would be to call Foxborough home.
“I would love it. I would love it,” said Tate. “That organization, they have proven to be champions year-in and year-out. They work hard, for sure. But you know where you’re going to be at the end of the season. You’re going to be looking at – not [only] going to the playoffs, but you’re going to be looking at maybe a first-round bye with this team. You’ve got to admire that organization, they do things right. They’ve been doing it for a long, long, long time.”
(Patriots question begins at 10:57)
Tate continued: “I would definitely love being a part of something like that and catch a few passes from old Tommy Boy. Julian [Edelman] is a buddy of mine, I’m really good buddies with him. I’ve heard good things from Kyle Van Noy, who got traded from Detroit and went there and has just been balling out since. It’s, as I said, a great organization. I definitely would not mind going over there for sure.”
The receiver’s potential fit on the Patriots is plainly obvious. His route-running, physical toughness, and short-area playmaking would give him a great chance at being a productive target for Tom Brady. As of Wednesday, Julian Edelman is the only receiver signed for 2019 that is a virtual lock to make the 53-man roster. Regulars Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, and Cordarrelle Patterson are all on track for free agency, so a reset could be on the way at the position.
Tate caught 74 passes for 795 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games last season between the Lions and Eagles. He was a model of consistency the four seasons prior to that, averaging 93 catches, 1,056 yards, and 4.8 touchdowns while never missing a game.
No shock that Tate would have legitimate interest in the Pats, especially when his No. 1 goal is to win another Super Bowl. He also wouldn’t rule out a return to the Seahawks, the team he won his only ring for in 2013. But his comment could also apply to the Patriots – any championship contender – as his next destination.
“Anything’s possible,” Tate said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. It definitely could happen.”
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].
