ALLEN PARK -- If Jeff Backus or Jason Hanson have decided whether they are playing football next season, they haven't informed Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew.

Mayhew met with local media on Thursday and said he ran into Backus at the team's practice facility earlier in the day. The topic of the offensive tackle's future didn't come up, just as it wasn't addressed in a sit-down meeting the two had at the end of the regular season, but Mayhew said he remains "cautiously optimistic" Backus will be back next season.

Backus has played 12 seasons for the Lions after being drafted in the first round by the organization in 2001. He missed his first game last season, sitting out the Thanksgiving day loss to the Houston Texans with a hamstring injury, snapping a string of 186 starts to begin his career.

The veteran left tackle has one year remaining on the two-year deal he signed last offseason. He's set to earn a $2.75 million salary, which includes a $500,000 roster bonus to be paid in March.

His 2013 cap hit will be $3.5 million after factoring in $750,000 from his signing bonus. That money will count against the cap whether he plays next season or not.

Backus' decision will also impact last season's first-round draft pick Riley Reiff. The second-year pro out of Iowa would move to left tackle if Backus decides to retire, but if he comes back, Reiff would likely play either right tackle or right guard, depending on whether the team re-signs free agent Gosder Cherilus.

The Lions are also waiting to hear from Hanson on his future. Mayhew expressed the same cautious optimism his kicker would be back in 2013.

Unlike Backus, Hanson, 42, is a free agent. He's spent his entire 21-year career with Detroit and has already said if he plays next year, it will only be with the Lions.

Hanson's base salary was $2.55 million in 2012, but he admitted he would be willing to sign a one-year deal with the team for less money.