Every day we’ll take a look at one of the Detroit Lions heading for free agency, what he has meant to the team before and a prognosis on whether or not he’ll be back with the club in 2015. Previous free agents profiled are here.
Free agent to be: Josh Bynes (restricted)
Position: Linebacker
Age: 25
Years in the league: 4
What he made last season: He had a cap charge and cash number of $469,412 after being picked up from the Baltimore practice squad. His full-year base salary would have been $570,000 according to ESPN Stats & Information.
What he did last season: Signed by the Lions after Stephen Tulloch's season-ending ACL injury, Bynes played a valuable special-teams role and carved out a niche splitting some time with Tahir Whitehead at middle linebacker in the defense. He finished the year with 19 tackles and an interception on defense and three special-teams tackles. By the end of the year, he ended up being a good fourth linebacker for Detroit.
His potential market value: Decent. He showed flashes of potential on defense and in special teams last season and has some experience both with the Lions and the Ravens. He’s not going to command big money, but a team looking for linebackers with special-teams value might take a chance on him.
Will he fit the Lions: Detroit is interested in him returning, but has said it will not be tagging him with a tender offer. The Lions have a bunch of linebackers slated to return next season but three of them -- DeAndre Levy, Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis -- are on the final years of their contract. Julian Stanford is also set to become a restricted free agent after 2015. So Bynes could find a multiyear deal for cheap money with the Lions if he wants it.
What happens: Barring a team overwhelming Bynes with an offer, he should be returning to the Lions. He was a good pickup for Detroit in the middle of the season and understands coordinator Teryl Austin’s scheme well. He also provides special-teams value and should be a somewhat inexpensive option for the Lions. If he returns, there could be a fierce competition for linebacker slots on the roster in 2015.