Golden Tate says Seahawks’ contract offer gave him no choice but to leave

Last year for the Seattle Seahawks, wide receiver Golden Tate was a constant for the team’s offense. He appeared in all 16 regular season games and set career-highs in both receptions (64) and yards (898).

Next season, however, Tate will be suiting up for the Detroit Lions after the two sides agreed to a five-year, $31 million contract. The 25-year-old made it known his preference was to stay in Seattle, but ultimately that didn’t materialize.

When players are happy with their current situation, you may hear them say they’re willing to take a “hometown discount” (or less money) to stay where they are. Golden Tate fell into that category. That said, there’s still a limit to what one feels they deserve and the Seahawks apparently did not meet that amount.

“I didn’t mean a 40 percent discount,” Tate said when speaking with 710 ESPN Seattle. “I’m going to earn in one year at Detroit what Seattle was going to pay me for two years. Seattle offered numbers that were laughable. I thought, ‘I’ve given you everything and this is what you give me?'”

“Considering I was there for four years, and started two of those years. I missed one game in those two years. I did everything right and wasn’t a trouble maker. And what they offered, I was like, ‘Is this serious?'”

Money aside, the style of Detroit’s offense was also a factor. The Lions have led the NFL in pass attempts two of past three seasons. In the other, they finished fifth. The Seahawks over the same span have finished 25th, 32nd, and 31st.

“I’m going from a run-heavy offense to a pass-happy offense,” he told the Bob and Groz Show. “It’s a chance to be the player I always imagined being.”

Tate is fortunate to have a Super Bowl victory on his career resume after four years in the NFL. There are many who take off their pads for the last time without ever having the feeling of being crowned champion. With that accomplished, Tate has now secured himself a big pay day and will be part of an offense which can provide him with an expanded role.

“I’m going to miss the city of Seattle, but I really had no choice, Tate said. I did my very best to stay in Seattle. I leave with my head high.”

Sometimes you just have to move on. This was clearly one of those times for Golden Tate.

You can hear the interview in its entirety below.