DETROIT (AP) -- The Lions and Jon Kitna have reached a tentative agreement that will bring the free-agent quarterback to Detroit, his agent said Tuesday.
Kitna visited the Lions at their practice facility in suburban Detroit on Saturday and was "very impressed" with the organization, agent Mike Moye said. Kitna met with head coach Rod Marinelli, offensive coordinator Mike Martz and team president Matt Millen.
Kitna, 33, is a nine-year veteran who spent the past five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, earning comeback player of the year honors as a starter in 2003 before becoming the backup to Carson Palmer. He started his career with the Seattle Seahawks.
Detroit has been looking for a veteran backup for Joey Harrington. Earlier in the offseason, the Lions signed Shaun King to a one-year contract.
The Lions also re-signed defensive end Kalimba Edwards and kick returner Eddie Drummond to five-year deals.
Edwards, who was a free agent, led Detroit in sacks with seven last season. The four-year veteran also recorded 31 tackles, two forced fumbles and a team-leading three fumble recoveries in 2005.
Drummond, a free agent and one of the NFL's top kick returners, also signed a five-year deal. He is entering his fifth NFL season and is one of only two players in NFL history to have two punt-return and two kickoff-return touchdowns in a single season.
Kitna visited the Lions at their practice facility in suburban Detroit on Saturday and was "very impressed" with the organization, agent Mike Moye said. Kitna met with head coach Rod Marinelli, offensive coordinator Mike Martz and team president Matt Millen.
Kitna, 33, is a nine-year veteran who spent the past five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, earning comeback player of the year honors as a starter in 2003 before becoming the backup to Carson Palmer. He started his career with the Seattle Seahawks.
Detroit has been looking for a veteran backup for Joey Harrington. Earlier in the offseason, the Lions signed Shaun King to a one-year contract.
The Lions also re-signed defensive end Kalimba Edwards and kick returner Eddie Drummond to five-year deals.
Edwards, who was a free agent, led Detroit in sacks with seven last season. The four-year veteran also recorded 31 tackles, two forced fumbles and a team-leading three fumble recoveries in 2005.
Drummond, a free agent and one of the NFL's top kick returners, also signed a five-year deal. He is entering his fifth NFL season and is one of only two players in NFL history to have two punt-return and two kickoff-return touchdowns in a single season.
