Though much of the sportswriting world ran with Eric Ebron’s declaration that he’d “never purchase” Lonzo Ball’s new $495 Big Baller shoes, the Detroit Lions tight end let slip to MLive’s Kyle Meinke that it’s not because he isn’t a big baller.

As Meinke Tweeted, when asked about a possible contract extension with the club, Ebron replied he and Bob [Quinn, the Lions’ general manager] “talk often,” and things are “in place.”

Eric Ebron on possible long-term extension: "Let’s just say Bob’s my guy, and we talk often, and, you know, we have things in place." — Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) May 16, 2017

Whether the Lions are ready to make a long-term commitment to the talented-but-inconsistent tight end has been one of the major storylines this offseason. Detroit signing blocking tight end Darren Fells and adding big-bodied two-way Michael Roberts on the third day of the draft, the way seemed to be clear for Ebron to continue as the Lions’ No. 1 tight end — both now and for the foreseeable future.

Per Meinke’s story at MLive.com, Ebron suggests he’s got some performance targets he’s got to hit this fall before Quinn meets his contract needs next spring.

Eric Ebron, when told he looks trim: "I keep it sexy." — Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) May 16, 2017

Ebron told Meinke he believes if he stays healthy, he’ll “prove what [he] should have proved years ago.” If that all comes to pass, Quinn will deserve big-time praise for navigating such a tricky situation so well.

Even if it doesn’t, Ebron, Roberts and Fells represent the strongest, deepest tight-end corps the Lions will have put together since 2012, when Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler combined for 101 catches, 1,071 yards and four touchdowns.

Should everything truly fall into place, Detroit will have those three locked up for years to come.