The Detroit Lions’ off-season plans are currently being held hostage by future Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson who is contemplating retirement.
Johnson, 30, is set to count $24 million against the cap in 2016. If it’s still on the books when free agency starts, the Lions will have $34 million to spend. If not, they will be among the five teams with the most cap room in the NFL.
Knowing the situation they are in, the Lions are reportedly hoping to get a decision from Johnson on his future within the next 24 hours.
From Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press:
“The Lions, in conversations with the representatives of various players across the league, have told people that they hope to know in the next 24 hours what Johnson’s plans are for 2016.”
This makes too much sense. Outside of that whole $24 million cash issue, the Lions need to know if they are going to be in the market for a top-end receiver in a free-agent class that’s lacking a ton of talent at that position.
They have primarily been linked to Cincinnati Bengals receiver Marvin Jones, but could express interest in other receivers should Johnson decide to retire.
If you remember correctly, Johnson sent out a public statement back in January indicating that he’s considering retirement:
“Like many players at this stage of their career, I am currently evaluating options for my future,” Johnson said in the statement. “I would expect to have a decision on this matter in the not-so-distant future.”
There should also be some thought given to the idea that Johnson is using this retirement talk to leverage his way out of Detroit after the team’s lackluster performances for the vast majority of his career.
If that’s actually the case behind the scenes, the Lions and Johnson are doing their best to hide this from the media.
As it is, Detroit needs Johnson to make a decision as soon as possible. Announcing his retirement in April wouldn’t necessarily help the Lions find a replacement in free agency. If it were extended further than that, the team’s draft plans would also become murky.