ALLEN PARK -- Golden Tate was minding his own business in the locker room when a couple reporters wandered over for a chat after practice. Among the topics was Odell Beckham's new deal.

Only problem: Because Tate had just come off the practice field, he hadn't heard the numbers yet. And they're big -- five years, up to $95 million, making it the biggest receiver contract since Calvin Johnson.

And Tate fell out of his chair.

No, really, he fell right out of his chair.

"I like seeing it," he said. "I like seeing it as a receiver. That's my position, obviously, so it gets me excited."

Of course, his own contract situation factors into the excitement as well. Tate is entering the final year of his deal just as the receiver market is exploding, including for slot guys.

Beckham's deal averages $18 million per year and includes $65 million in guarantees, both of which are league highs. Jarvis Landry also signed a new deal this offseason, clocking in at five years and $75.5 million. And Landry has comparable numbers to Tate the last four years, although he's also five years younger.

"The guys who have gotten paid this year are big-time players," Tate said. "I've seen those guys get paid, and quite frankly, I hope everybody gets paid. This is a tough game to play, it's a tough game to play for a long time, and hearing about that Odell deal, I'm excited. Another guy I'm going to hit up for a vacation here soon."

Tate, meanwhile, is playing out the final season of a five-year deal that pays him just $31 million, an incredible bargain for Detroit given his production. He's caught at least 90 passes each of the last four years, the only receiver to do that other than Antonio Brown. No receiver has broken more tackles than Tate in that time. No receiver has gained more yards after the catch, and it's not close.

He's gained 631 yards after the catch since putting pen to paper with Detroit. Nobody else has more than 523.

So, yeah, Tate is headed for a pay raise. The only question is how much he'll get, and whether it's Detroit that gives it to him. Because that's a lot of money to pay a receiver who will turn 31 before he plays a down under the new deal, and the Lions have other short- and long-term needs to consider as well.

Tate's agent has negotiated with the Lions this offseason, but it's unclear where those talks stand. With just two weeks until the season opener, time running out to get something done before he plays through the contract year.

"I have no clue (about where talks are), to be honest," Tate said. "I don't even know. Like I said a few weeks ago, this camp is getting all my attention. I'm just trying not to be a selfish player and think about my contract. Obviously I want to get something done, but first and foremost, I want to put the team first and give them my best effort in order for us to win. I'm just letting those people figure it out."