Seattle Seahawks News: Will Golden Tate Be Signed?
By Todd Pheifer
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) celebrates after beating the Denver Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Seahawks have some contracts to address, and they may make some moves when free agency opens on March 11.
Michael Bennett seems to be the priority, but he has made it clear that he will not be signing a “hometown discount.” After all, this is still business. For Bennett, this is probably the best opportunity that he will ever have to cash in.
Then there is Golden Tate, who is also assumed to be a high priority for the Seahawks. Tate may not have the numbers to be labeled a “No.1” receiver, but his production over the last few years and his ability to make big plays certainly justifies a lucrative contract.
According to Tate, he has not been the recipient of a great deal of communication from the Seahawks. This is obviously Tate’s perspective and it is not clear what he means when he says “I haven’t heard too much.”
One assumes that the Seahawks want Tate to return, but you could see a scenario where the team is unwilling to overpay for Tate’s services. The Seahawks did cut Sidney Rice to save money, but Percy Harvin is already getting paid top dollar. There may not be enough budget for two expensive wideouts.
In addition, contracts for Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas are looming on the horizon.
This may also be a situation where the Seahawks will work on Bennett first and see how those negotiations unfold. If it becomes clear that Bennett wants far more money than the Seahawks are willing to pay, there may be room to pay Tate a little extra.
Tate’s suggestion that communication has been minimal should not be seen as a sign that negotiations will not occur. This is part of the process as both sides will work to get the better end of the deal. Rhetoric is part of the game.
In the end, Tate probably returns to the Seahawks next year. He just might not be the first order of business.