When Calvin Johnson scored a touchdown in Sunday’s final game of the season, he took the football back to the bench for safe keeping.
He down-played the action afterward saying sometimes he kept footballs, sometimes he didn’t.
On Wednesday it became apparent that Johnson is contemplating retirement.
The team released a statement from Johnson: “Like many players at this stage of their career, I am currently evaluating options for my future. I would expect to have a decision regarding this matter in the not-too-distant future.”
The Lions released a response: “We obviously have profound respect for Calvin and certainly understand and appreciate his decision to give proper thought and consideration to his football future.”
Johnson, who is known across the league as Megatron, is signed through the 2019 season. He is set to make $16 million in 2016. His $24 million salary cap hit would account for one-sixteenth of the Lions salary cap.
There has been speculation whether the Lions would release him or if the team and Johnson would work together to restructure his contract.
Johnson, who turned 30 in September, has played for the Lions for nine seasons. He was the second overall draft pick in the 2007 draft out of Georgia Tech.
This season he finished with 88 receptions for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 13.8 yards per catch, the lowest average in his career.
He dealt with a bad ankle for most of the season, usually sitting out at least one practice per week.
When he was asked recently about his health, he said, “I mean I’m feeling all right. Leave it at that.”
This would not be the first time a Lions’ standout retired early. Running back Barry Sanders retired just before the start of training camp in what would have been his 11th season. He was 30.
Johnson played in all 16 games this season for the first time since the 2012 season.
In his Lions career he has been to just two playoff games (2011, 2014). He lived through the hell of the 0-16 season in 2008. He’s played for three coaches – Rod Marinelli, Jim Schwartz and Jim Caldwell. In his career he’s had 731 receptions with 11,619 receiving yards and 83 receiving touchdowns.
Through it all his numbers have not wavered much. Even in 2008 he had 1,331 receiving yards.
On Dec. 12, 2012, Johnson broke Jerry Rice’s all-time single season record for receiving yards which had been 1,848. Johnson finished that season with 1,964 yards, an average of 123 yards per game. In that game he also set records for consecutive 100-yard games at eight and consecutive games with 10 or more receptions at four.
When Johnson was asked for the most memorable game of his career in the book “Game of My Life Detroit Lions” it’s no surprise he chose that record-breaking game. When he set the record he handed the football to his father on the sidelines.
Johnson said last week that if he had a vote he would want Caldwell to return as coach next season. That’s a decision that will be left up to the new general manager.
Perhaps this is not the end for Johnson. Maybe after a little rest, he’ll start working toward 2016.
Calvin Johnson’s career so far:
– Six-time Pro Bowl (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
– Three times first team All-Pro (2011, 2012, 2013)
– Second team All-Pro (2010)
– Two-time NFL receiving yards leader (2011, 2012)
– NFC receiving yards leader (2011, 2012, 2013)
– Two-time NFC receiving touchdowns leader (2010, 2011)
– 10,000 receiving yards club
– NFL single season record for most receiving yards (1,964 in 2012)
– Second most all-time receiving yards in a game (329)
– Only player in NFL history with 5,000-plus receiving yards in a three-year period
– Pro football record for most career games with 200-plus receiving yards (five, tied with Lance Alworth)
– Detroit Lions all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns
– Fastest receiver to reach 10,000 yards
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