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The one move that defined the 2018 NFL season for all 32 teams

By Erik Lambert

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 21: Golden Tate #15 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball after a reception, chased by Reshad Jones #20 of the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 21: Golden Tate #15 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball after a reception, chased by Reshad Jones #20 of the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions: Trading Golden Tate

The Detroit Lions continue to confuse themselves, I think.

After hiring Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to be their new head coach, the Lions probably thought they were going to compete in the NFC North this season, but that hasn’t been further from reality.

Instead of competing for their division, the Lions are competing (yet again) for a high draft choice and they became a seller at the NFL trade deadline, helping out a fellow NFC team in Philadelphia by sending them wide receiver Golden Tate.

It was hard to fault the Lions for maximizing value on Tate, who is in the final year of his contract with the team and seems to be declining in his per-play effectiveness, but trading such a high profile player was indicative of how this season was going/has gone for Detroit.

They will once again need to re-tool their offensive weaponry this offseason.

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