DETROIT (AP) — Cliff Avril says negotiations on a long-term contract with the Detroit Lions have ended.
Avril says he wasn’t mad when he knew Monday that a deal wasn’t going to get done before the 4 p.m. EDT deadline.
He will stay in Detroit as a franchise-tagged defensive end for at least one more season with a $10.6 million, one-year contract.
The 26-year-old Avril was hoping to be rewarded with a multiyear contract for being a consistent playmaker for an improving team. He had career highs with 11 sacks, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries last year to help the Lions snap their 11-season postseason drought.
