NFL Rumors: Detroit Lions may let Brandon Pettigrew become free agent

Nov 24, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew (87) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown in the end zone during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

The Detroit Lions had one of the most explosive offenses last year — on paper. Despite boasting great talent on offense, the Lions fizzled at the end of the season and hardly embraced the type of offense they could have been in 2013. This offseason will see a lot of tough decisions made and chief among them is what to do with big tight end Brandon Pettigrew.

Detroit wants to bring Pettigrew back, but ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein states that the team could end up letting him go in free agency and find a different way to replace him through signing someone or drafting someone.

"Pettigrew, theoretically, is one of those guys and his potential free-agent value could force the Lions to look somewhere else to replace him."

The Lions would love to have Pettigrew back, but the chances of that are starting to seem less and less likely. If he hits the market, Pettigrew is almost certain to get a deal he wouldn’t get with Detroit which may lead to the two sides parting ways over the offseason.

Home/Detroit Lions