Lions Retain Tight End Brandon Pettigrew for Four Years, $16 Million
Brandon Pettigrew is a bit of a relic in today’s NFL, a tight end who’s just as comfortable blocking as he is catching the ball.
For the Detroit Lions, that versatility was a part of their offense they couldn’t bear to lose.
Pettigrew agreed to a four-year, $16-million deal with the Lions on Thursday that includes $8 million guaranteed. He’s en route to Detroit this morning to take a physical and sign his contract.
One of the top tight ends to reach free agency, Pettigrew received serious interest from at least three other teams but in the end decided to stay with the franchise that drafted him in the first round out of Oklahoma State five years ago.
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Though he was coming off a down season statistically in which he caught just 41 passes for 416 yards, the Lions made retaining Pettigrew their No. 1 off-season priority at the position.
A good blocker who had two 70-plus-catch seasons early in his career, Pettigrew fits the all-purpose mold new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi likes in his tight ends.
He’s missed two games each of the past two seasons with ankle injuries, but rarely came off the field when healthy
last year, when he was used less than normal in the passing game because of other deficiencies at the position.
The Lions finalized a deal with Pettigrew around mid-day Thursday, shortly before their No. 2 target at the position, Scott Chandler, re-signed with the Buffalo Bills.
Pettigrew also had interest from the New York Jets, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, among others.
In five NFL seasons, Pettigrew, who turned 29 last month, has 284 catches and 16 touchdowns, but also has struggled with drops at times.
The Lions have two young tight ends on their roster, Joseph Fauria and Michael Williams, but still could try and upgrade the position in May’s draft.
Fauria had seven touchdown catches as a rookie, but was used mostly in red-zone situations. Williams spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve.
With Pettigrew back, the Lions have three remaining unrestricted free agents they could re-sign, cornerback Rashean Mathis, backup quarterback Shaun Hill and offensive tackle Jason Fox. Defensive end Willie Young signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears on Thursday.
Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett .
