Before the 2015-16 season ended, Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson told his coaches and teammates that he intended to retire from the NFL during the off-season. This startled many as Johnson is only 30 years old and not far removed from his peak. Even if his speed has begun to go away, he’s still an incredible route runner with unrivaled size and reliable hands.
Many speculated that Johnson’s young retirement mirrored another Detroit Lions great, Barry Sanders, in that years of having to carry the entire franchise wore on him. The man they call Megatron has managed to avoid major injuries during his career, and could have the added benefit of retiring with his health, something many players don’t get a chance to do.
However, as the off-season kicks off, rumors are swirling that Johnson doesn’t actually intend to retire. The word out of Detroit is that the Lions all-time leading receiver doesn’t actually want to retire, he just wants a change of scenery.
Using retirement as leverage is a trend that is becoming more and more popular of late. Carson Palmer did it to the Bengals in 2011, Adrian Peterson did it to the Vikings last year, and now it appears as if Calvin Johnson might be doing the same.
The Lions are a mess. The front office is in chaos, Jim Caldwell is a lame duck head coach, and both sides of the ball lack playmakers and depth. While 30 is still relatively young, his best playing days are behind him, and if he wants to win a championship, it won’t be in Detroit.
The reality is that Calvin Johnson has a hefty price tag. Next year, his cap hit is over 24 million dollars, and he’ll be turning 31 during the first month of the season. While he still registered 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns last season, he’s not the same player that registered almost 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns two years ago.
If Detroit were to part ways with Johnson, it would likely be in some kind of trade that resulted in a restructuring of his contract. There are several teams that would be willing to trade a pick or two for a player of Johnson’s caliber, but one in particular comes in mind.
The New England Patriots are desperately in need of a big, fast wide receiver that could stretch the field and take pressure off of Tom Brady. While Julian Edelman is an exceptional receiver, and Rob Gronkowski is arguably the best tight end of all time, the Broncos exposed the fact that their offense is not perfect. The Patriots lacked a true number one receiver, and the pass rush ate Tom Brady alive as he was waiting for the underneath routes to open up. The Patriots desperately need a playmaking wide receiver, but after the “Deflategate” controversy, they are without a first round pick and strapped for cap space.
And it wouldn’t even be the first time that Belichick and company made a move like this. Back in 2007, the Patriots traded for another “washed up” 30-year-old wideout. His name was Randy Moss, and he would go on break Jerry Rice’s record for touchdown catches in a season as the Patriots won all 16 regular season games.
Obviously the ball is in Detroit’s court, and Johnson is still “retired” as far as anyone is concerned. But as Tom Brady gets older and the championship window begins to close, one last blockbuster trade could send Brady, as well as Johnson, out in style with at least one more ring.
