NFL Rumors: Detroit Lions want to re-sign Brandon Pettigrew

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
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 /
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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
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 are entering this offseason with a list of needs they need to either fill or improve. One such position is at tight end, where Brandon Pettigrew is entering free agency and the team needs a prototype threat for Matthew Stafford to have at his disposal.

Head coach Jim Caldwell worked with Dennis Pitta in Baltimore, which could mean he’d be an option if he’s not franchise tagged, but it’s also possible that the Lions bring Pettirgrew back in 2014. General manager Martin Mayhew spoke on that matter this weekend.

Per MLive.com:

"“Never say never,” Mayhew said. “You never know how these things are going to go. If we chose to do that we could create the room to make that happen.”"

The Lions are starting to pinch pennies as they’re running low on salary cap space and have a massive extension they’re going to need to give Ndamukong Suh at some point. Still, the Lions want to find Stafford great targets and if they feel Pettigrew is the best tight end in free agency, they’re going to try and bring him back.