BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – For Detroit Lions receiver and eight-year veteran Golden Tate, it's time for Detroit to win, and it's time to win now.
"You know, I'm not getting any younger," Tate told detroitliions.com Thursday while promoting a partnership with Hershey "Gold" chocolate bars on radio row at the Super Bowl.
"I get real jealous in the postseason when I'm looking at these other teams play that we had beaten and should beat. It's time to win now and that's the plan."
It's a sentiment that has almost been a theme for the Lions this offseason. General manager Bob Quinn said after the season it's his expectation to compete for a championship in 2018.
That thought was shared by Lions director of player personnel Lance Newmark in an interview with detroitlions.com at the Senior Bowl.
Tate feels the same way here at the Super Bowl.
"The good thing is we have a great, great foundation," Tate said. "We have great players. We have what we need. We just need to put it all together."
The Lions do have a good foundation that starts with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Tate and Marvin Jones Jr. were the only receiving duo to each gain 1,000 receiving yards this season. Ziggy Ansah, Darius Slay and Glover Quin are considered among the top talent at their respective positions on defense.
This is an important offseason for the Lions to now fill in some of the gaps and hire a coaching staff that can help fulfill higher expectations.
"I'm expecting to win now," Tate said. "That's what I want and what we need. We deserve that. I think as a city, we're ready to win and win often."
As for Tate's long-term future with the Lions, he's hoping that relationship extends beyond the 2018 season, the final year of Tate's current contract.
It's been Quinn's trend since taking over as general manager after the 2015 season to get players signed later in the summer in August. Tate's hoping that's the case with him as well.
"Hopefully that talk gets started soon," said Tate, who's recorded at least 90 catches in each of his first four seasons in Detroit, with three 1,000-yard campaigns and 19 total touchdowns.
"To be honest, I think I do deserve it. I think I've been available. I've been durable. I've been on the leadership committee for two years now. My production hasn't gone down.
"Hopefully we can get something done this year. I'd love to spend the rest of my career in Detroit. I like where Detroit's going, and I love the city and I love our fans. Hopefully, we get it done. We'll see."
