Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew has come out and said that he plans on locking up wide receiver Calvin Johnson and defensive end Cliff Avril to long term deals during the offseason.
Avril is set to hit the free agent market this offseason and Johnson’s contract expires at the end of the 2012 season.
“I think we have an opportunity to work on that this offseason,” Mayhew said about Johnson’s extension. “I don’t think it’s something that absolutely has to be done, but we have an opportunity to work on it.”
Mayhew doesn’t want to place the franchise tag on Avril, so he would like to get a long term deal done.
“I don’t have any plans to (franchise Avril), but you you never know what might happen.,” Mayhew said.. “We’re going to approach Cliff about a long term deal and try to get something done and see what happens.”
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