OT- Calvin Johnson considering retirement.

Submitted by FatGuyTouchdown on

In a press conference today, Calvin Johnson announced that he is considering retirement, and should have a decision coming by next week. 

He's been injured on and off the past couple seasons, but as the Lions best player, it would leave a huge hole. 

Also, typical Lions...

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not TOM BRADY

January 6th, 2016 at 2:42 PM ^

He's made a ton of money. Maybe he wants to enjoy life past 60. I can't blame him if he makes this decision. And I can't blame him if he wants to play on another team.

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GoBlueInNYC

January 6th, 2016 at 2:51 PM ^

What does "typical Lions" mean?

He's getting up there and has been banged up a lot. Maybe he just wants to walk away before his health deteriorates any more.

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JamieH

January 6th, 2016 at 2:56 PM ^

It means that playing for the Lions is so depressing that the guy would rather retire than keep getting paid millions of dollars to play football FOR THE LIONS. 

This most likely wouldn't be happening if he played for a different organization.  Do you think Johnson would be talking retirement if he played for the Patriots? 

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JamieH

January 6th, 2016 at 5:00 PM ^

Disagree all you want, but if Calvin were getting ready to start up his 9th straight year of going to the playoffs, I highly doubt he'd be thinking about retirement right now. 

Losing year after year after year eventually beats you down mentally.  He's only been on TWO teams with winning records in his entire career, and hasn't won a single playoff game.  At some point, what impetus is there to continue sacrificing your body and long-term health, other than more money?  And if you already HAVE enough money........

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FatGuyTouchdown

January 6th, 2016 at 6:03 PM ^

Essentially means that as soon as things start to look up, something like this happens. The Lions just finished strongly on a 7-9 season with a couple iffy losses. They have a much easier schedule next year. As soon as things start to look up, something like this happens. This has nothing to do with Calvin Johnson, just the lack of hope it has to be a Lions fan.

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ribs1

January 6th, 2016 at 10:34 PM ^

If we cut him then we are on the hook for roughly 13 million dollars in dead money.  Essentially, we are paying him to play for another team.  If he retires, then his entire cap his is gone.  Somewhere between 20-23 million.  Thats a lot of money to spend on other players although I'm sure the lions would use it all on wide receivers all the while drafting wide receivers in high rounds.

 

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LSAClassOf2000

January 6th, 2016 at 3:20 PM ^

Calvin Johnson has lasted longer than a lot of guys do in the league, put up some nice numbers along the way and been a stand-out player in general. As much as he's taken in his career in terms of punishment, I can't say I blame him - I wouldn't blame anyone in his position really for doing something like this as a self-preservation move.

A few people have brought it up, but I don't know that this one is on the Lions though for being a "soul sucking" organization though - that might have been the case with Barry, but I don't get that vibe here.

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ThereWillBeNoHugs

January 6th, 2016 at 4:29 PM ^

But I am pretty sure I read it here in a thread. Anyway, I remember a user stating CJ told him that because of his injuries, he would be retiring following the season (while they both worked out at a gym). This was like way back around early fall or possibly before then. I had wondered all season long if that inside information would come to fruition following the season. It has, at least to talk of retirement at this point in time. I know an official announcement has yet to be made, but I wouldn't be shocked if he's announcing his retirement soon. He is truly one of the greats and will be missed.

 

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Michology 101

January 6th, 2016 at 4:37 PM ^

Calvin may have weakened his trade value by making this announcement. I mean, teams might not want to offer the Lions a lot for a player who's heart isn't into playing much longer. I guess since he has a huge contract, it probably would've been tough to trade him anyway.

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xtramelanin

January 6th, 2016 at 4:46 PM ^

no other receiver with his physical ability, heart, head and hands.   i laughed when jerry rice was balking at that designation about calvin a few years ago, stating he (rice) was the best.  he forgets he played with one of the all-time best football teams ever, loaded with HOF types.  calvin has played with joe potatoes for the most part. 

and while i'm at it, i'm considering retirement too. 

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xtramelanin

January 6th, 2016 at 11:11 PM ^

and in that sense, unremarkable, joe potatoes.  

and calvin's ability is second to none.  he can out run, out jump, out catch, and out block jerry rice any day of the week (at rice's prime) and twice on sunday.  if calvin had half the team around him that rice did, calvin would own all the records.  think about it, rice played with joe montana, one of the all time greats, roger craig, another HOF, rathman, dwight clark, john taylor, ronnie lott (family friend and would back me up on this one), harris barton, and the list goes on.  

calvin has had the burden of being on a legendarily dysfunctional team, the detroit lions.  rice played on a dynasty where he couldn't be focused on b/c of the other weapons the 49'ers had.  don't get me wrong, jerry rice was a great player deserving of the HOF, but he still is second fiddle to calvin.  the analogy is barry sanders and emmit smith. 

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ribs1

January 6th, 2016 at 10:42 PM ^

Agreed.  Calvin is a great player but definitely not the goat.  He doesn't even crack my top ten.  I don't even have him as the greatest Lions receiver of all time.  I think Perriman and Moore were both better than him at least for a short time.

Calvin is great, but I consider him borderline hall of fame.  If this was Baseball he wouldn't even be close.

Calvin is 43rd all time in receptions.  27th all time receiving yards.  22nd in receiving yards.

I like him a lot and he will be missed but hopefully we can get a gm who can use the extra cap money properly.

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UofM626

January 6th, 2016 at 8:28 PM ^

Even considers this. He will regret it the moment the next year starts and he's not getting paid. $24 million reasons to stay and play. Patrick Willis is regretting it as he will be broke in 5 plus years

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Perkis-Size Me

January 6th, 2016 at 9:50 PM ^

I wonder if he's just tired of losing, or maybe just doesn't want to play anymore.

If it's the latter, then I get it. But if the former, why not go somewhere else and try your luck at winning a Super Bowl before you hang it up? Plenty of teams would step all over each other to get you.



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PrimeChronic

January 7th, 2016 at 2:48 AM ^

I think he's going to "retire" for a year and heal up back to 100% and then come out of retirement to go play for another team a couple years and try to get a ring.

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Mauresi

January 7th, 2016 at 9:14 AM ^

I know a very good source that spoke with a higher up inside the organization and Calvin told the team he was done on Tuesday. They released the statement to soften the blow and try to get Calvin to think on it. But, right now, he's done.



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UncleChuck24

January 7th, 2016 at 11:16 AM ^

When you go through a handful of offensive coordinators..... I figured that could be mentally exhausting. I hope he actually retires and doesn't pull this cry baby bs.

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