Calvin Johnson, the greatest wide receiver in Detroit Lion history and one of the most prolific players at the wide receiver position of his era, may have called it a career before theh 2015-2016 season even started.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, despite posting over 1,200 receiving yeards, Calvin Johnson is adamant about his retirement, evidenced by the message he delivered to Lions head coach Jim Caldwell before and after Detroit’s mediocre 7-9 season was over: 2015 is it.
Calvin Johnson told family 2015 would be his final year and delivered same message to Jim Caldwell after season ended, sources told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2016
Important to note: Caldwell told Calvin Johnson not to rush decision, to take time. Out of respect to Caldwell, Johnson agreed to do that.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 31, 2016
Incidentally, another Lions great–Barry Sanders–shocked the world in 1991 when he announced his retirement, despite being in what many people believed to be the prime of his career. If Johnson enforces this retirement, which is likely, he leaves as the Lions’ leader in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns, and the holder of several NFL records, most notably, most receiving yards in a single season.