The Calvin Johnson saga continues.
It’s been nearly two months since news broke that Johnson could retire after an impressive nine-year NFL career, but Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn said Wednesday the six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver hasn’t yet informed him of a decision.
“I have spoken to Calvin, I did speak to Calvin, I’m not going to go into any details about what we talked about, and there is no update on his status right now,” Quinn told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “I don’t have any expectations. We had a good conversation. He didn’t tell me if he’s leaning one way or the other. We’re giving him time to make that decision. There’s no deadline.”
Johnson’s decision regarding his future obviously has huge ramifications for Detroit. Megatron is coming off another solid season — he totaled 88 catches, 1,214 receiving yards and nine touchdown grabs — and remains a force, but he’ll also count for $24 million against the salary cap if he returns.
While the organization doesn’t want to slap a deadline on its biggest superstar, there’s no denying that his decision ultimately will impact how the Lions build their roster this season, particularly when it comes to the open market.
“It obviously affects it because of the salary that he has,” Quinn said. “So that’s something that’s going to take into effect what kind of plans that we can do, how flexible we can be with the type of players that we’re going to look forward to add in free agency.
“That’s all part of the puzzle. My job is to put that puzzle together.”
Johnson, who turns 31 in September, has been one of the NFL’s most explosive receivers since the Lions drafted him second overall in 2007. He has 731 catches for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns in 135 career regular-season games.
Thumbnail photo via Tim Fuller/USA TODAY Sports Images
