Ever since he was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, tight end Eric Ebron has been under the microscope. In fact, many labeled Ebron a bust before his rookie season was even over. Since then, despite improving his overall numbers in his second and third season, he has yet to live up to expectations.
But over the past three games, things have changed. During that stretch, Ebron has been targeted 26 times, catching 20 passes for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He has finally seemed to become the weapon the Lions hoped they were getting when they drafted him and many fans have gone from booing Ebron to wanting him to stick around long-term.
http://gty.im/898118516
Currently under contract with the Lions through the 2018 season, Ebron is set to make $5.194 million in the final year of his deal. You see, though the contract runs through 2018, it is guaranteed for injury only. That means the Lions could decide to cut him any time prior to the new league season starting. It’s a decision Lions general manager Bob Quinn will have to make, and considering the Lions lack of depth at the tight end position, chances are Ebron will be wearing the Honolulu blue for at least one more season.
But does Ebron want to continue his career with the Lions?
On Thursday, Ebron was asked by reporters about his future with the Lions and his response will make you think twice about whether or not he wants to remain in Detroit for the foreseeable future.
From Detroit Free Press:
“I don’t really care,” Ebron said. “It is what it is. I’ve never been a futuristic person. I live day by day and however it shakes out is however it’s going to shake out. I can’t dictate it. Whatever it is, I roll with the punches, just go from there. Whether it’s here, whether it’s not, whatever. That’s just how I am.”
Ebron said he hasn’t talked with general manager Bob Quinn about the team’s plans, and he wouldn’t speculate on whether he’s done enough to stick around.
“That’s not up to me,” he said. “Do I want to be (here)? I’m not answering that. If I’m here next year, I’m going to love every bit of it and I’m going to continue to play my game.”
Asked why he didn’t want to answer if he wanted to stay in Detroit, Ebron reiterated that the decision isn’t his and said “if I didn’t want to be a Lion, (shoot) I would have tried to opt out a long (expletive) time ago. I’m still here.”
“I love the situation I’m in right now,” he said. “I mean, any person would just simply because it’s not really your decision to make. It’s up to other people.”
So, within a couple of quotes, Ebron went from, “I don’t really care” to saying “I love the situation I’m in right now.”
Ebron may love the situation he is in right now, but as an outsider looking in, those comments are not exactly a ringing endorsement for him wanting to stay with the Lions long-term.
