Before the NFL lockout began, the Detroit Lions tendered a number of players that were considered restricted free agents under the rules of the old collective bargaining agreement. Under the new CBA, most of these players are now unrestricted free agents, meaning the tenders no longer have any purpose other than to indicate which players the Lions want to bring back.
We have already examined the Lions players who are still restricted free agents, so now let's take a look at the ones who are unrestricted:
QB Drew Stanton - The Lions tendered him when he was considered restricted, so they made it known they want him back. Whether or not he will actually re-sign will depend largely on if Stanton can find any opportunities elsewhere. The expectation is for him to test the free agent waters before deciding anything. He could certainly be back, but if a better opportunity arises he could leave Detroit.
WR Brian Clark - He retired earlier in the offseason.
C Dylan Gandy - The Lions tendered him when he was restricted, so it appears they want to re-sign him.
DE Turk McBride - The Lions tendered him when he was restricted, so it appears they want to re-sign him.
DE Jared DeVries - He isn't in the Lions' plans going forward.
LB Bobby Carpenter - The Lions tendered him when he was restricted, so it appears they want to re-sign him.
LB Vinny Ciurciu - He wasn't considered a restricted free agent to begin with, so there hasn't been any indication if the Lions will re-sign him or not.
LB Landon Johnson - Like Ciurciu, Johnson wasn't considered a restricted free agent to begin with, so there hasn't been any indication if the Lions will re-sign him or not.
CB Chris Houston - The Lions tendered him when he was restricted, and if they can they will re-sign him. Houston hasn't committed to returning by any means, though.
CB Tye Hill - He was not tendered when he was considered restricted, so it doesn't appear the Lions want to re-sign him.
CB Brandon McDonald - He was not tendered when he was considered restricted, so it doesn't appear the Lions want to re-sign him.
S C.C. Brown - It's unlikely the Lions will bring Brown back.
S John Wendling - The Lions tendered him when he was restricted, so it appears they want to re-sign him.
K Dave Rayner - The Lions tendered him when he was restricted, so it appears they want to re-sign him.