The Lions have reportedly signed free agent wide receiver Bryant Johnson to a three-year deal worth $9 million. Johnson spent his first five seasons with the Cardinals, before signing with the 49ers last spring.

The Lions have signed veteran running back Maurice Morris and cornerback Eric King to contracts. Morris received a three-year deal reportedly worth $7 million, while King landed a two-year pact worth an undisclosed amount from Detroit.

The Loins have traded quarterback Jon Kitna to the Cowboys, who will use the veteran as insurance for starter Tony Romo. Detroit addressed a need with the trade, landing cornerback Anthony Henry from Dallas.

The Panthers tried trading cornerback Ken Lucas to the Detroit Lions. Once the two sides were engaged in discussions, Lucas let it be known that he did not and would not play in Detroit. Thus, trade talks were abandoned even though some in the league thought the trade might go through. The talks are an indication of what Carolina has in mind for Lucas, who is scheduled to make $5.6 million in base salary this season. If Carolina cuts Lucas this week, it will free up $2.375 million against its salary cap.

Matthew Stafford has welcomed the idea of being selected by the winless Loins with the No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL Draft. In a Sports Illustrated profile for an issue that hits newsstands on Wednesday, Stafford was interviewed by Peter King. "I'm being completely honest, and it has nothing to do with money -- I would love to go to Detroit," Stafford told King. "My friends say, 'C'mon, gimme a break.' But I'm a competitive guy. The Lions have passionate fans, a great stadium, and I'd be throwing to the biggest freak (Calvin Johnson), with the most talent, of any receiver in the NFL."

Quarterback Dan Orlovsky has decided to test the free agent market instead of accepting an offer to be Detroit's backup. "They made an offer, but I'm going to test the market and see what's out there for me," Orlovsky said Monday. "I'm pretty confident that I'm going to get a better offer." Orlovsky is hoping to sign where he can compete for a job instead of heading into the season as a backup. "I want to be back in Detroit, but this is an important decision and I want to make sure I make the right decision."

The Lions have signed kicker Jason Hanson, who has been with Detroit since 1992, to a four-year deal. "Jason's been a cornerstone of this franchise for a long time, and he might have just have had the best season of his career," team president Tom Lewand said. "I wouldn't put anything past Jason -- at the end of this deal, he'll be pushing 43, and he might just be getting into stride."

Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper has restructured his contract, but it remains a one-year deal. He reportedly no longer has a roster bonus scheduled for Feb. 27, but there is believed to be a bonus at some point. Detroit is also continuing to talk to quarterback Dan Orlovsky, who will become an unrestricted free agent on Feb. 27.

The Lions and guard Stephen Peterman have reportedly agreed to terms on a five-year deal worth about $15 million. Of the $15 million, $5.5 million of the money is guaranteed. Peterman, who started 27 games the past two seasons as Detroit's right guard, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent Feb. 27. "It was kind of weird there for a little while, you know, with them bringing in a new coach and staff," Peterman said Monday. "Me and my wife, we kind of prepared for things, thinking we could be going to a new team. But right after the Senior Bowl (in late January), they hired Coach Yarno and we had some good conversations and he said they wanted me back. "Through all this, I'm glad to be back. I love the guys I've met since I've been here, and I want to be a part of rebuilding this thing and win a Super Bowl."

The Lions are preparing to rebound from an 0-16 season, and could do so with Daunte Culpepper as their starting quarterback. Former Detroit receiver Mike Furrey told Sirius NFL Radio on Sunday morning that other quarterbacks on the roster have been told that Culpepper will be the starter.