While the primary focus in the Detroit Lions off-season now is Matthew Stafford’s future and what Lions can get in exchange for a trade, the team will soon have to turn its attention to arguably the second best player on the list. Wide receiver Kenny Golladay is on a rookie contract that is expiring after the previous regime failed to sign him for an extension in 2020.
The new board has yet to comment on Golladay’s future with the team, but the Lions wide receiver joined “Good Morning Football” on Thursday morning and gave a little idea of where he is.
The first question Golladay received was about the status of his hip injury, which cost him the final nine games of the 2020 season. His answer was quite revealing.
“In fact, I’m feeling pretty good now. I’m really excited to get back to work. Coach Campbell came up with that energy. I’m trying to combine the same energy with which he came. “
Without being asked, he mentions the new Lions head coach, Dan Campbell, and talks about him as if he were already his new head coach. Later, the “Good Morning Football” team asked him directly about Campbell and his fun press conference.
“I am not going to lie, when I first saw him, I died laughing, but I loved it,” said Golladay. “It is this energy that I am talking about. He set the tone right there. I think we’re going to pull out some kneecaps.
Golladay’s evident eagerness to stay in Detroit comes as no surprise. It corresponds to what he said throughout the year 2020. He mentioned how grateful he was to be drafted by Lions and said he would not mind spending his entire career in Detroit.
But Lions face a difficult decision. With so much roster turnover expected under the new regime, can they afford to spend heavily in the wide receiver position? With Marvin Jones Jr. also set to reach the free agency, does it make sense to spend a lot on one guy and maybe hire another? The franchise brand – which moved about $ 17.9 million last year – is also on the table.
Another factor is the defender of the team. Golladay did not mention whether Matthew Stafford’s eventual switch will affect his decision to return or not, but he had a lot of good things to say about his quarterback.
“He is a true leader, so wherever he goes, they will find a true competitor,” said Golladay. “The guy is going to play anything. He never wants to lose a game. I don’t even know how he ended the season with some of the injuries he had, but I think everyone in this league knows what you’re going to get from the team. ”
Overall, though, it looks like Golladay is still very willing to stay in Detroit if the price is right. Now we will have to wait and see if that feeling is mutual.