5:40PM Friday
March 1, 2013

Matthew Stafford

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.

Cliff Avril

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 ou