Detroit Lions extending Kenny Golladay this offseason a no-brainer

After posting a career-year in Motown, it is a no-brainer for the Detroit Lions to sign third-year wide receiver Kenny Golladay to an extension this offseason.

The Detroit Lions got a steal in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Coming out of Northern Illinois, wide receiver Kenny Golladay wasn’t highly-rated. In fact, NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein thought the 6-foot-4, 218-pound wideout was a Day Three selection and compared him to Denver Broncos receiver Jordan Taylor.

Taylor actually helped the Broncos win a Super Bowl title in 2015, but played just three seasons in Denver, recording 29 receptions for 351 yards and two touchdowns in 26 total game appearances. Clearly, Golladay was underestimated.

Selected 96th overall by Detroit, Golladay flashed his skills early, racking up two touchdowns in his very first preseason game. He followed that up with another two-touchdown performance in his regular-season debut as a rookie.

Despite the strong start, Golladay’s first season was hindered by a hamstring injury. He would go on to record just 28 receptions for 477 yards and three scores in 11 games as a rookie.

In his second year, Golladay got a boost of confidence from the Lions’ organization when they traded veteran wideout Golden Tate midseason to the Philadelphia Eagles. The young wideout rewarded their faith by having a breakout season, posting 70 catches for 1,063 yards and five touchdowns.

In 2019, the 26-year old posted his second-consecutive 1,000-yard season and more than doubled his touchdown total. Through 15 games, Golladay has recorded 62 receptions for 1,118 yards and 11 touchdowns. And he still has one game left to play, a hometown matchup against the divisional rival Green Bay Packers.

Despite leading the NFL in touchdown receptions, Golladay did not receive a Pro Bowl bid this season. Instead, voters elected to send Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons, Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints, and two wideouts from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. There’s still a chance Golladay will be playing in the Pro Bowl as an alternate.

Regardless, Golladay has risen to the ranks of the NFL elite this season. And entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2020, he should be rewarded with a contract extension this offseason by Detroit. Here’s what Golladay told DetroitLions.com about potential contract talks with the organization.

"“We haven’t talked about it. I’m sure we will the next few months or so. Everything will work itself out. I’m very grateful to be here. [The Lions] definitely took a shot on me and that would be a good way to repay them.”"

Signing Kenny Golladay to an extension should be a top priority for the Detroit Lions’ brass this offseason. With ownership drawing the line for this current regime in Motown to win in 2020 or else, keeping Golladay happy with a healthy new contract should only aid their efforts next season.