Jarryd Hayne NFL: Detroit Lions GM Martin Mayhew says team wants Jarryd Hayne but no deal yet

THE Detroit Lions’ general manager has confirmed his NFL team wants to sign NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne, but no deal has yet been done.

HAYNE

DETROIT Lions’ general manager Martin Mayhew has confirmed his NFL team wants to sign NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne, but no deal has yet been done.

Mayhew on Friday said that not only were the Lions keen for Hayne to join the team, but discussions were ongoing about what position he might play.

Hayne’s NFL dream is currently in limbo as he tries to secure a US work visa. The Lions have been favoured to sign him to a futures contract, although other teams are supposedly still in the mix.

HAYNE WANTED LIONS DEAL BEFORE CHRISTMAS

VISA ONLY THING BLOCKING HAYNE FUTURES DEAL AT LIONS

Detroit Lions GM Martin Mayhew, left, is keen to see Jarryd Hayne sign a futures contract and fight for a place on the team of coach Jim Caldwell, right.

Detroit media have reported that a deal for Hayne at the Lions is done other than the visa issue. Mayhew said he wanted the rugby league ace at the club.

“We’re always on the lookout for players that can help us,” he said at his end-of-season press conference.

“We’ve brought other guys in in the past - ‘Kickalicious’ (Norwegian kicker Havard Rugland), and (US rugby player) Carlin Isles, we’ve had other guys in who we’ve taken a look at, taken an extensive look at.

“Jarryd Hayne falls in that category. He’s a guy we want to evaluate.

“He’s still out there and he’s still looking at other teams as well. I’m not sure what will happen with him but we’d like to have him.”

Jarryd Hayne is pursuing an NFL career - likely as a running back.

Hayne is interested in being a kick returner but has stepped up his preparations by working with top running back coach Clarence Shelmon.

Asked what position Hayne was being evaluated for, Mayhew said: “That’s something that we’re still talking about.”

Hayne was hoping to have signed with an NFL team last year and already be in training, yet is still working on his visa issue.

The Lions exited the NFL playoffs in controversial circumstance on the weekend at the hands of Dallas and are now building towards next season.

Originally published as Jarryd Hayne NFL: Detroit Lions GM Martin Mayhew says team wants Jarryd Hayne but no deal yet