Lions DE Cliff Avril Hopes To Re-Sign With The Team

Detroit Lions DE Cliff Avril mentioned that he would like to re-sign with the team during the offseason.

“I would definitely love to be back here,” Avril said, per Anwar S. Richardson. “I’ve been in this locker for five years now. I would definitely like to stay here.”

It is interesting because Avril turned down a three-year deal worth $30 million that included $20 million guaranteed last offseason, which forced the team to apply their franchise tag to him.

Avril is still just 26 years old and plays a premium position, so his decision to turn down that contract could ultimately payoff for him this offseason. It seems highly unlikely that Avril would turn down a contract extension and then opt to give the Lions a hometown discount the following year, so Detroit will have to offer him a competitive deal or being willing to pay an additional 20% on top of the franchise total to re-tag him.

We have Avril listed as the No. 12 best available free player in Top 50 Free Agents list.