Remember when Golden Tate told reporters that he would consider taking a discounted contract to remain with the Seattle Seahawks? Well that is apparently far gone after the wide receiver opted to sign with the Detroit Lions over returning to the Super Bowl champions. According to Tate, the Seahawks took his pay cut comments too seriously and the offer was simply, "laughable."
"I'm just appalled at the attitude I've received on Twitter from people I thought were Golden Tate fans," Tate said, via 710 ESPN Seattle. "People are starting to show their true colors. I think the world of the 12s [Seahawks fans], but there is a large group who very quickly turned on me. It kind of bothered me because I felt like I gave everything I possibly could to the city of Seattle. I was out in the community and I played my tail off every game. And I helped bring the first ever Super Bowl [championship] to Seattle. I don't care who you are. If you have an opportunity to earn way more money in another city, you'll leave in a second. Every single person in the world would have done what I did."
According to Tate, Seattle's contract offer was a 40 percent hometown discount, something he simply was not willing to accept. Tate's reasoning stems from the fact that he was a starter over the past two seasons after being with the team for four and only missed one game during that time. Pairing that with what he calls an excellent work ethic should have counted for more than it apparently did.
Now, the Seahawks are left to fill his spot with a free agent before possibly grabbing someone in the upcoming NFL Draft. The Seahawks had shown interest in players like Julian Edelman, Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith but failed to sign anyone to a deal. They have also shown interest in Jermichael Finley, but the tight end left Seattle without a deal.
The best options for the Seahawks before the draft could be Kenny Britt, Miles Austin or even bringing back Sidney Rice. When healthy, both Britt and Austin can be top targets for quarterback Russell Wilson. The only issue is that they are never healthy. Rice is drawing interest from several teams including the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints. However, considering the Seahawks have the latest Super Bowl rings, Rice might be enticed to come back.
