Cliff Avril, a free agent defensive end who played for the Detroit Lions last season, is unhappy with the possibility that the Lions will use the franchise tag on him if they cannot agree on a long-term deal, according to the Detroit Free Press.
"There's a lot of different possibilities, and that's one of the possibilities -- not showing up," Avril said of missing off-season workouts and training camp. "But we don't know. That's not the plan, obviously. But there's a lot of different possibilities, and that's definitely one of them."
Though Lions GM Martin Mayhew has publicly stated that he doesn't plan to use the franchise tag on Avril, the Detroit Free Press reported Friday that Detroit is likely to use the tag in the event that the two side cannot come to terms. Via Detroit Free Press:
While two people familiar with the negotiations stopped short of saying Avril definitely will be tagged, both said that's the likely outcome if the two sides don't agree on a long-term deal before March 5, the deadline for applying the tag.
Avril, a four-year veteran, recorded a career-high 11 sacks last season to along with six forced fumbles. He would prefer a long-term contract from Detroit, as opposed to the franchise tender which is a one-year deal worth roughly $11 million. Via Detroit Free Press:
"I don't want to be franchised," Avril said. "That's basically what I got last year. The tender was basically the same thing. I just want security and longevity."
For more on the Lions offseason, head over to the SB Nation blog Pride Of Detroit.