Cornerback Jonathan Wade, who has signed as a free agent with the Lions, liked the vibe he felt when he met with members of the Lions management and coaching staff on Monday.

They conveyed that their only purpose was to win games and the 25-year-old defensive back said he sees it as a great opportunity.

“It was the situation I was looking to see. They really want to turn everything around,’’ Wade said in a conference call today.

Wade, a second-round pick (84th overall) by St. Louis in 2007, had a disappointing third season last year. He played in 15 games, but started just four. He didn’t have much to say about the situation other than that “God works in mysterious ways.”

Wade said he tried not to let it affect him and kept going to work every day. He finished the season with 20 tackles and no interceptions. In each of his first two seasons with the Rams he had two interceptions.

The way coach Jim Schwartz operates is that players have to earn starting roles and it will be no different for Wade.

“(I want) fans, followers, everybody to know I have come here to fight for a starting position,’’ Wade said.

The Lions added another cornerback this week when they made a trade with Atlanta for Chris Houston. It cost Detroit a sixth-round pick and the Lions and Falcons will swap fifth-round picks.

Cornerback was definitely a position of need heading into free agency.