One of Matthew Stafford’s most reliable targets is set to return to the Detroit Lions.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, tight end Brandon Pettigrew has agreed to terms on a four-year, $16 million deal with $8 million guaranteed to return to the Lions.
Pettigrew is on his way back to Detroit Friday morning to take a physical and sign the deal.
Pettigrew was one of the top tight ends available on the free agent market and had drawn interest from several teams before electing to stick with the Lions. Detroit had one of the most explosive offenses in the league last season. Pettigrew, Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson primarily led the way for an offense that finished sixth in total yards and third in passing yards for the season.
With the addition of receiver Golden Tate from Seattle to pair with Johnson, and Pettigrew returning to town, the Lions could be even more explosive offensively next season.
Pettigrew appeared in 14 games for the Lions last season and posted 41 catches for 416 yards and two touchdowns. For his career, Pettigrew has 284 catches for 2,828 yards and 16 touchdowns in five seasons in Detroit.