BEVERLY HILLS — Of all the players at the Lions’ informal workouts this week, quarterback Drew Stanton is perhaps in one of the strangest positions among his Lions’ teammates due to the NFL labor issues.

Under the old rules the 27-year-old Stanton became a restricted free agent after last season and the Lions offered him a tender, meaning they want him to return.

But no one knows just yet what the new rules will be. Could turn out that Stanton, who played at Farmington Hills Harrison and Michigan State, is an unrestricted free agent under the new contract.

“I’m just going to prepare as if I’m going to be here. And come out here and work with these guys, there’s familiarity that’s nice from my standpoint,’’ Stanton said Thursday. “You get out here, get sweat going and get back in the mental side of things. I feel good about it.’’

Lions general manager Martin Mayhew went on record in January saying they wanted Stanton to return. With injuries to Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill last season, Stanton stepped in starting three games and playing in six. He was impressive, completing 69 of 119 passes for 780 yards including four touchdowns with just three interceptions. He also rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown.

What will it mean if he’s unrestricted?

“I don’t know, as I’ve said before I want to find the best situation obviously for myself and the organization is going to do what’s best for them,’’ Stanton said. “They offered me a tender and hopefully when this all gets resolved we’ll have a clear picture of what that means. It’s nice to know that they want me here from their side, once this gets resolved maybe they don’t. Time will tell.’’

The Lions wrapped up four days of workouts on Thursday. They’ll reconvene for another four-day session on June 6.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)