Lions defensive end Cliff Avril has been working out on his own as he’s yet to sign his one-year tender from the team. Both sides though optimistic that a new long-term deal can get done but haven’t really made any progress in reaching that goal just yet.
The two sides have until July 16th to come to an agreement or else Avril will be forced to play under the one-year tender.
A side story though between Avril and the Lions is the potential taste that other impending Lions free agents are getting from this whole process as highlighted by Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
“I’m pretty sure guys are definitely viewing it and looking at it,” Avril said of his contract situation, per Monarrez. “I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad signal. But I know guys that are coming into their final years of their contracts are probably viewing it and seeing what [the Lions are] going to do for some of their players. I’m trying to be the guy that sets a good example, I guess, in a sense of trying to be here and wanting to be here and hopefully they can keep me here.”
The team can’t be accused of being cheap though in the free agent process as they’ve already signed WR Calvin Johnson to a very lucrative 7-year, $132 million extension.
Expect things to heat up between Avril and the Lions as we get closer to the deadline.
Ref: ESPN, Detroit Free Press