Don’t brush off the news of Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson considering retirement, because he is truly considering it according to Detroit QB Matthew Stafford. One of the greatest receivers ever is thinking about hanging it up at age 30.
"I think, anytime Calvin says something, it’s not for show, it’s something serious," Stafford said on The Mitch Albom Show. "I think you guys have covered him long enough to know that he’s a pretty measured person, and everything that he says to the public is a thought-out thing. So in that regard, I’m sure it’s thought-out."
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Johnson hinted that the litany of injuries he’s dealt with throughout what’s already been a Hall of Fame career are a factor in his retirement considerations, but what he won’t say is that there’s another, possibly bigger reason – a looming paycut.
Johnson led the Lions with 88 catches, 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns this season, blowing away anyone else on the team. But that doesn’t mean he’s worth just shy of $16 million in 2016, or the nearly $52 million he’s owed for the three seasons beyond that. If Johnson wants to stay in Detroit, where he’s played his whole nine-year career, “Megatron” will likely have to take a stiff pay cut so the team can bolster multiple areas of the roster.
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Since 2007, Johnson has earned $113 million-plus catching passes from the Lions, per Spotrac.com. Assuming he hasn’t blown it all, that’s enough money to last a lifetime. His stats prove he has plenty left in the tank to help Detroit, but only he knows his body. Johnson may be deciding that risking further damage to his health is worth it at $16 million a year, but not so much at a discount. If the Lions desperately want to keep him, they should at least engage him about leaving his salary alone.
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