Golden Tate is scheduled to make a base salary of $7 million in the final year of the five-year, $31 million contract he signed with the Detroit Lions in free agency in 2014.

However, the two sides have had no "substantive contract talks."

"Right now I'm just kind of focusing on getting to know coach [Matt] Patricia and showing up to work ready to work every day so he gets a feel for my type of personality, what I'm going to bring to this team," Tate said.

"I'm trying not to worry about it too much. Obviously, we all know that I'd love to get something done, but I go into each year just trying to prove myself because there's a new batch of guys that are probably coming in to try to take my job."

The Detroit Lions released a statement late Wednesday expressing support for Matt Patricia after a sexual assault charge against him from 22 years ago resurfaced in a Detroit News story.

Patricia denied the accusation, made by a woman while Patricia was a student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on spring break in South Padre Island, Texas, in 1996.

"As someone who was falsely accused of this very serious charge over 22 years ago, and never given the opportunity to defend myself and clear my name, I find it incredibly unfair, disappointing, and frustrating that this story would resurface now with the only purpose being to damage my character and reputation," Patricia said in the statement. "I firmly maintain my innocence, as I have always done. I would never condone any of the behavior that was alleged and will always respect and protect the rights of anyone who has been harassed or is the victim of violence.

"My priorities remain the same -- to move forward and strive to be the best coach, teacher, and man that I can possibly be."

Charges were filed in the case, and Patricia and his friend, Greg Dietrich, were indicted by a grand jury of one count of aggravated sexual assault, but they were never tried in the case.

Lions president Rod Wood told the Detroit News that he was not aware of the allegation in Patricia's past when they hired him. Wood later told the newspaper that he was "comfortable" with Patricia on staff.

The Detroit Lions have traded Akeem Spence to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2019.

The defensive tackle started 11 games for the Lions last season.

Spence will be reunited with former Detroit defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, who was hired by the Dolphins after former Detroit head coach Jim Caldwell was fired last season.