Golden Tate wants to reunite with an old enemy.
Last year, the former Giants and Eagles wide receiver exchanged punches with Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who dumped Tate’s pregnant sister in 2019.
Now, as Tate remains unsigned with NFL training camps starting next month, he wants to be teammates with Ramsey.
“I would love to go back home to Tennessee,” Tate said in an appearance Monday on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “[Indianapolis], over with Carson Wentz. Obviously, the [Los Angeles] Rams would be fantastic with [Matthew] Stafford. I had my best years with Stafford. I really like the entire NFC West, to be honest.”
The former Lions wide receiver was at his strongest with Stafford in Detroit, notching more than 90 catches in four different seasons. But that will surely create a sticky situation in the locker room if Tate gets his wish.
Tate also named the Titans — who just traded for All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones — and the Colts — who re-signed T.Y. Hilton to a one-year deal this offseason — as his other targets.
The free agent wide receiver struggled in New York — he recorded 1,064 receiving yards over two seasons, 65th among wide receivers since 2019-20. During a “Monday Night Football” loss to the Buccaneers in November, Tate yelled “Throw me the ball” into a television camera after scoring a touchdown. Tate’s wife Elise took to Instagram afterward to say her husband was “so underutilized” and “was open the entire game.” Tate was benched for the next game for his outburst.
According to Next Gen Stats, Tate only averaged 2.1 yards of separation per target last season, tied for fifth-fewest among wide receivers. He was a cap casualty in March.
Nonetheless, Tate still thinks his value is high.
“To me, I am like a fine wine. I just get better as I age,” Tate said. “I have not had any major injuries. For the most part I am on the field. I have been great in the locker room.
“Unfortunately, last year was kind of a [COVID-19] year. Everything going on just didn’t go my way as far as getting the ball, but I made the most of the opportunities I did have. When I did get the ball in my hand, I was making contested catches in the slot, down the field, wherever it may be.”