Lions GM Martin Mayhew mentioned that he met with Matthew Stafford’s agent on Thursday regarding a long-term extension, per Chris McCosky.
Mayhew mentioned that the talks went well, so that’s at least a positive sign moving forward.
Stafford, 25, is set to make a base salary of $12.5 million next season, but counts $20.8 million against the team’s salary cap. Stafford’s salary will increase further in 2014 and 2015, so it makes sense that they would look to lower some of those figures, while freeing up some additional cap space in the time being.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see a deal done at some point in the next few months.
Mayhew added that he expects to meet with free agent DE Cliff Avril’s representatives on Friday, per Chris McCosky.
Detroit is still holding out hope that they’ll be able to retain Avril, who will most likely find plenty of interest on the open market. He’s hinted that he would like to secure a similar contract to the ones handed out to Panthers DE Charles Johnson and Cardinals DT Calais Campbell.
Detroit has said that they’re unlikely to use their franchise tag again this season, so they would have to make some real progress towards a long-term agreement in the next few days to even think that they would have a shot of retaining Avril.
We have Avril listed as the No. 21 best available player in our Top 50 Free Agents list.
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