One of Martin Mayhew’s best offseason moves prior to the 2010 season was making a trade with the Falcons for cornerback Chris Houston. All the Lions general manager had to give up was a sixth-round pick and a conditional seventh-round pick.

Perhaps it was his bargain of the year.

Now he wants to re-sign the 26-year-old Houston who will be entering his fifth season in the NFL. Because a new collective bargaining agreement has not been reached which means a possible lockout, re-signing Houston is a little more complicated than it would be in a normal offseason

Houston started 15 games and finished with 56 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. He could not play in the final game after injuring his shoulder in Miami on Dec. 26 and will undergo shoulder surgery in the offseason.

“Chris did a great job for us, he’s a great pickup, He’s sort of like Drew (Stanton) in terms of we don’t know what his contract status is, whether we have the ability to tender him or not,’’ Mayhew said. “We’re preparing to tender him or deal with him and make him an offer. That’s a guy we definitely want back.’’

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)