Since the Lions' placed the franchise tag on defensive end Cliff Avril in March, he and his agent, Brian Mackler, have remained optimistic that Avril could work out a long-term deal with the team. As the Monday deadline fast approaches, however, for reaching a multi-year deal, Avril is expressing some doubt that a deal can get done, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press.
"I'm hopeful, but I don't know," Avril told the Free Press. "I'm not getting a good vibe, let's put it that way. But I'm hopeful."
Avril is one of the remaining "franchise" players in the National Football League who have not yet signed either a one-year tender or agreed to a long-term contract. Avril, a fifth-year player out of Purdue, has said he would play this season for the $10.6 million tender without a new contract, but it is uncertain if that means he would join the Lions for the start of training camp on July 26.
"If we don't get a deal done, I'll fly out to New York (meet with his agent), and figure something out from that point on," Avril said. The contract deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Monday.