We’re almost a full week into 2012 NFL free agency, and the inside linebacker market is still in a bit of a holding pattern. Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne, and London Fletcher all remain unsigned.
Perhaps the best free agent inside linebacker is Stephen Tulloch, who paced the Lions in tackles last season. Detroit wants him back, and G.M. Martin Mayhew is optimistic the sides will be able to strike a deal after a series of “very productive conversations” in recent days.
“We’re very hopeful we can reach an agreement with him sometime soon,” Mayhew said Monday, per the Detroit Free Press. "... We’re going to continue to pursue Stephen and try and get Stephen signed. He knows our defense. Coach [Jim] Schwartz is very familiar with him. He’s a leader on our football team.”
Mayhew plans to contact Tulloch’s agent on Tuesday.