On that front, the Lions brought back linebacker Derrick Barnes on a three-year, $25.5 million deal ($16 million guaranteed) before free agency started. It was a noticeably good deal for Barnes ...

Derrick Barnes would have had options in free agency, perhaps with his former defensive coordinator and the New York Jets or the Detroit Lions' old defensive line coach and the New England Patriots.

Even with the injury, the Lions saw value in retaining Barnes ahead of the start of NFL free agency. He is returning to the Lions on a three-year, $25.5 million contract with $16 million guaranteed.

Derrick Barnes did a little bit of everything for the Detroit Lions' defense last fall — well enough in a small sample size that the team didn't want to risk losing him to free agency next week.