Photo Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Houston was perhaps the Detroit Lions most important free agent for the team to retain and they have done just that.

The #Lions and CB Chris Houston have agreed to terms, source says. He’s staying there.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2013

Word came out last night that the Lions and Houston were working towards a three-year deal but the deal they agreed to today is apparently a five-year deal.

Chris Houston has agreed to terms on a new five-year deal with the Lions, according to a league source.

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) March 13, 2013

Terms were not immediately available, although Dave Birkett tweeted that the Lions had been offering in the $6 million range.

With the longer deal, it is easier for the Lions to minimize the cap hit in year one, a very important fact given their limited cap space and desire to remain selectively aggressive in free agency, especially in their chase of Reggie Bush.

Houston was easily the Lions’ top performer in their secondary over the last couple seasons. Rumors linked the Lions to other free agent corners in Antoine Cason and DeAngelo Hall but both would have been downgrades from Houston.

It is possible the Lions continue searching the free agent market for a cornerback but that is a lesser priority with Houston back in the fold. They will continue to rely on Houston as the solid veteran while developing Bill Bentley, Jonte Green and Chris Greenwood.

Photo Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

News regarding the Detroit Lions and Chris Houston has been slow to leak out. The lack of reports combined with a report that the New England Patriots were showing interest might have been enough to make Lions fans wonder if Houston was good as gone.

Not so fast, my friends. The Lions are very much in the hunt to retain Houston’s services and the two sides are trying to work out a three-year deal.

Lions been trying to make it happen for a few days now RT @jasoncoleyahoo: CB Chris Houston and DET trying to work out a 3-yr deal

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2013

Birkett’s addition to Cole’s initial tweet goes to show that while there didn’t seem to be a lot going on between the Lions and Houston, there actually was. Sometimes silence means something, in this case it didn’t.

The Lions have been linked to Antoine Cason and DeAngelo Hall in the early stages of free agency but both would represent a dowgrade from Houston. As the 2012 season wore on it became apparent that re-signing Houston should be one of the team’s top priorities and it now looks like they agree. Here’s to hoping something gets done soon.

Nov 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Houston (23) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) in the overtime of the Thanksgiving day game at Ford Field. Houston Texans defeated the Detroit Lions 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

News regarding Chris Houston has been slow to develop. In fact, it has been non existent so far. Word came out last yesterday that the Lions have shown interest in cornerback Antoine Cason but that has been it at that position.

Perhaps we now know why new on the Houston front has been quiet. According to a tweet from Schwartz and Feinsod, they are now representing Houston.

We are proud to welcome Chris Houston @chris23houston to the Schwartz & Feinsod family!

— Schwartz& Feinsod (@schwartzfeinsod) March 10, 2013

This is the same firm that represents Darrelle Revis. Other big names include Vincent Jackson and Roddy White.

With his representation situation now settled, we can expect there will be more action from the Lions and other teams around the league as Houston won’t want to get lost in what is a crowded market of free agent corners.