Free agency came and went this year for the Detroit Lions, and unlike the past two, it didn't net a newcomer on a particularly big deal. General manager Bob Quinn did what he said he would, signing second- and third-tier players, spreading the money around. They wanted flexibility in the draft, and the price of that was not bringing in this year's equivalent to a Marvin Jones or Rick Wagner.
That is, unless you count a player they brought back.
"I know it doesn't get as much press as it should, but one of the most important things is making sure you sign back the players you deem can help you in the future -- your own players that are on your team," Lions coach Matt Patricia said in a Q&A session with season-ticket holders Monday at Ford Field.