Lions defensive end Cliff Avril emptied out his locker Monday two days after Detroit was eliminated from the NFL postseason by the New Orleans Saints.
For Avril who had another spectacular year and has cemented himself as one of the better defensive ends in the league has an uncertain future with the team that drafted him out of college.
Avril enters the offseason an unrestricted free agent coming off a season where he made $2.61 million dollars and accumulated 11 sacks, six forced fumbles, 29 tackles and two touchdowns.
Avril will certainly be making much more money on his next contract which he is unsure if it will come from the Lions…
“It’s all about if they want me to be here,” Avril said. “I definitely want to be here, but I got to do the right thing for my family also.”
Like most high-profile free agents, Avril will more than likely seek a long-term deal but also knows the financial situation that the Lions are in. His fellow linemen including Ndamukong Suh is slated to make $9.25 million next season, while defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch is set to make $5 million and defensive tackle Corey Williams set to make $4.9 million.
It’s also conceivable that the Lions could franchise Avril in which case he will probably make around $10 million. But like Avril, the Lions will probably like to get the young defensive end locked up long-term as well.
Unfortunately though for the Lions front office, Avril isn’t the only issue that needs to be addressed.
Linebacker Stephen Tulloch is also going to be a free agent after signing a one-year deal worth $3.25 million last offseason. Tulloch’s plan last offseason was to sign the one-year deal in hopes of getting a long-term contract worth big money and it looks like he may have succeeded in doing that.
Then the Lions will have to address Calvin Johnson who like Avril had a career year but also may have established himself as the best wide receiver in the league. Now although Johnson isn’t a free agent, he is entering the final year of his rookie contract and the Lions certainly want to get him locked up long-term as well.
Ref: Mlive.com (ref and image)
