On the heels of Detroit resigning all of their coordinators to extended contracts, general manager Martin Mayhew announced that he would like to lock up a contract extension for both All Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson and defensive end Cliff Avril.
“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.
Johnson had 96 catches for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns during the regular season, plus another 12 catches for 211 yards and 2 TDs in Detroit’s playoff loss to the Saints last weekend.
Johnson is entering the last year of his contract, and stands to make $14 million in 2012, after earning $8.9 million this past season. He stands to make as much or more than Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Johnson, who signed an 8 year, $120 million contract this season.
“I’m not going to suggest a pay cut for him,” Mayhew said.
And on Avril, Mayhew added, “We’re going to approach Cliff about a long term deal and try to get something done and see what happens.”
