Brandon Pettigrew will return to the Lions after agreeing to a four-year deal, $16 million deal with $8 million guaranteed first reported by Dave Birkett and then confirmed by the team web site.

The veteran tight end was reportedly close to a deal with the Jets on Thursday, but decided to return to Detroit where he was a first-round draft pick in the 2009 draft.

Pettigrew had 41 catches for 416 yards in 14 games last season. 

Perhaps the key stat is they he cut his dropped passes. In 2013 he had four drops on 45 catchable passes for a 8.89 percent of drops. In 2012 Pettigrew had nine drops from 68 catchable passes  or 13.24 percent. (Statistics courtesy of SI.com.)

Other tight ends on the Lions roster are Joe Fauria who had 18 catches with  seven touchdowns in his rookie season. Mayhew said he’d like to get him more involved in the offense, not just in the red zone.

Matt Veldman, who's 6-foot-7, played in one Lions' game last season and is signed through 2014.

Michael Williams missed his rookie season with a hand injury. Dorin Dickerson was a restricted free agent, but was not offered a tender. He played in five games last season with two catches for 34 yards.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)