Defensive end Brett Keisel has spent his entire 12-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the pending free agent is prepared to test the market this offseason.

Not surprisingly, Keisel's preference is to stay in Pittsburgh. He's built a life there with his family, but he understands the business side of the NFL and isn't sure he's in the Steelers' plans.

If a return to Pittsburgh isn't in the cards, Keisel wouldn't mind suiting up for the Detroit Lions in 2014.

"No doubt," Keisel said in an interview with 105.1-FM Detroit. "They've got a great team. I really like their quarterback. They've got Megatron. Who would want to play with those guys? Those guys, I think are going to make some noise next year."

Keisel, 35, also likes what he's seen from Detroit's front seven, especially at defense end.

"I went to BYU, so I'm proud of my boy Ziggy (Ansah) coming in as a rookie and being a key contributor on that defense," Keisel said. "Really, it's amazing, where he's come from, the way he's playing, got into the league and was a first-round pick."

Unlike Ansah's eight sacks, Keisel's numbers don't jump off the page. He's averaged a little more than 26 tackles and three sacks the past nine seasons. But until recently, the responsibility of a defensive end in the Steelers' 3-4 scheme is to eat up space, not get after the passer.

With Willie Young and Israel Idonije scheduled to hit free agency, the Lions will likely be in the market for a cheaper veteran to add to their defensive line rotation. Keisel fits the size profile Detroit established last year, measuring in at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds.

Keisel missed parts of last season with plantar fasciitis, but says his body feels good.

Beyond measurables and stats, he would bring additional leadership to the Lions locker room as a veteran from a winning organization, which has won two Super Bowls during his career.

Oh, and who can forget, "Da Beard?"

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