Sources: Calvin Johnson is Retiring
A month ago Calvin Johnson announced he was "evaluating options" on his football future. It appears a decision has been made.
Johnson had talked with his family prior to the 2015 season and relayed the same message to Lions head coach Jim Caldwell after the Lions week 17 win in Chicago. Caldwell urged Johnson not to rush into a decision and give it time.
According to Schefter and the sources, the Lions had not given up hope that Johnson would return but a person close to Johnson said: "He's pretty content with his decision."
Calvin Johnson was the Lions 1st round (2nd overall) selection in the 2007 draft. His career stats include 7 seasons of 1,000+ receiving yards, including the NFL record of 1,964 yards in 2012. His career receiving stats of 731 catches for 11,619 yards (27th overall in NFL history) and 83 touchdowns. He played in 135 regular season games out of a possible 144 in nine years.
In catches and receiving yards he is the Lions all-time franchise leader.
If it really is the end for Johnson, he will surely be missed in Detroit. His large frame made matchups a nightmare for opposing defenses, and now his departure leaves a glaring hole in the Lions wide receiving corps that is now headed by Golden Tate, Lance Moore and Corey Fuller. Perhaps the Lions have a new draft need for April.
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