Cliff Avril planning to play in 2018, Seahawks rebuilding year

Cliff Avril is one of the most-beloved Seahawks of all-time, whether it's contributing in the community or building homes in Haiti, part of his Cliff Avril Foundation.  However, it was a bit of a shock when the Super Bowl winner and former Pro-Bowler said he plans to play in 2018, despite missing most of the 2017 season with a career-threatening neck injury. 

Avril was on NFL Network's Steve Wyche, The Aftermath, and asked if he'll ever play again. 

"I believe so, right now its all about recovery. I had surgery, I'm in the process of recovering. It's a long process, it's a long journey, when I get to the end of that, then I'll figure out what's next."

Avril suffered the neck injury in week four against the Colts. Coach Pete Carroll even said he had his doubts about Avril and Kam Chancellor, returning next season. Chancellor suffered a similar neck injury on November 9 against Arizona. Avril is in the final year of his contract and will be 32 in April. Chancellor is showing signs of wear, and will also be 30 in April, while under contract through 2020. 

The Seahawks already made several changes on their coaching staff in the off-season, including reports of hiring Ken Norton Jr. as defensive coordinator, although nothing official from the Seahawks. Norton Jr. coached the linebackers for the Seahawks, from 2010-2014. Avril said there could be a re-build in store. 

"I could see that being the case, I could definitely see that being the case just because everyone is getting  a little older. Last year we had all a lot of injuries that slowed us down, so they could possibly to re-build and put some new pieces in."

The full interview is posted on NFL.com



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