Golden Tate: ‘Would be fantastic’ to sign with Rams, reunite with Matthew Stafford
The New York Giants revamped their receiving corps this offseason, and as part of that decision, the team released Golden Tate back in March. He’s remained a free agent ever since, searching for his next team at the age of 32.
The Los Angeles Rams aren’t in the market for another receiver after signing DeSean Jackson and drafting two wideouts (Tutu Atwell and Ben Skowronek), but Tate remains interested in signing with Sean McVay’s team. During an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Tate named the Rams among three teams he’d like to sign with.
“I would love to go back home to Tennessee,” Tate said. “Indy, over with Carson Wentz. Obviously, the LA Rams would be fantastic with Stafford. I had my best years with Stafford. I really like the entire NFC West, to be honest.”
"I would love to go back home to Tennessee. Indy, over with Carson Wentz. Obviously, the LA Rams would be fantastic with Stafford"
Free Agent WR @ShowtimeTate has his eye on a few teams he would play for in 2021.
Audio 🔊👇 pic.twitter.com/pPrDfRsrHX
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) June 21, 2021
Tate has three career 1,000-yard seasons, and all of them came with the Lions and Stafford as his quarterback. He even made the Pro Bowl in 2014 with 1,331 yards and four touchdowns.
Like so many of Stafford’s former teammates, Tate is a huge fan of Stafford. He shared what makes him so special, highlighting his arm talent, toughness and leadership qualities.
“Look, Rams fans. You guys had a really good quarterback in Jared Goff but this guy No. 9, Matthew Stafford, is next level,” Tate said. “This guy is going to come in and compete, keep his head down. He’s a great locker room guy. He’s tough as nails, which is probably what stands out most to me. He can make any throw on the field. He’s going to keep you in games no matter what the score is. And with that defense L.A. has, he’s going to light it up. I’m excited. He’s got some weapons around him. And the thing is, he just needs to be himself. He doesn’t need to go out there and overplay. Just stay within himself and it’s going to be a good year for Rams fans and it’s going to be very competitive in the West.”
There are plenty of hurdles in the way of Tate’s fit with the Rams. They don’t have much cap space, they’re loaded at wide receiver and it probably wouldn’t be a good locker room fit with the history he has with Jalen Ramsey.
The two brawled after last year’s Rams-Giants game, so signing Tate probably wouldn’t help the overall team chemistry.
