Vanden Bosch deal worth $26M

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch agreed to a four-year deal Friday with the Detroit Lions, thanks to the personal touch of coach Jim Schwartz.

Schwartz wanted the Tennessee Titans starter to open free agency and landed Detroit's top target by waiting in Nashville outside Vanden Bosch's home when free agency began.

"'I could be anywhere in the country right now, and I'm on your front step because you're the guy I want,'" Vanden Bosch said Friday morning on radio, relating Schwartz's message. "He's a great coach, and last night he was a great salesman."

The Lions reached a one-year agreement with backup offensive lineman Jon Jansen, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton. Jansen accepted the NFL minimum of $860,000, the source said.

Jansen, a former mainstay of the Washington Redskins' offensive line, was brought in by the Lions last season to be a backup and to help mentor young offensive linemen.

Vanden Bosch said on WGFX-FM 104.5 The Zone in Nashville that Schwartz left around 2:30 a.m. with only the final details to be worked out. Schwartz worked with Vanden Bosch when he was the Titans' defensive coordinator.

The deal is worth $26 million. Vanden Bosch, 31, will be due $10 million in the first year of the contract, The Tennessean of Nashville reported.

A nine-year veteran, Vanden Bosch spent the past five seasons with the Titans, getting all of his 43½ career sacks. He was a first alternate for the AFC Pro Bowl team last season despite only three sacks and played in his third Pro Bowl in January. He still ranked fifth with 86 tackles and 20 quarterback pressures.

The Lions also re-signed linebacker and special-teams standout Vinny Ciurciu and backup tight end Will Heller, a source told Clayton.

The 29-year-old Ciurciu came to the Lions last year after the New England Patriots released him in September. He has started six games during his NFL career and been with five teams.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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