The Oakland Raiders received a nice treat when likely future Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson joined the team for OTAs.
Former Lions receiver @calvinjohnsonjr joins us for the first week of OTAs as a special guest. #Megatron
Read: https://t.co/44w5mYo1cI pic.twitter.com/XILNvsvLic
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 23, 2017
Johnson is graciously offering his assistance as a guest and will be viewing practices with Raiders’ offense coordinator, Todd Downing. Downing worked with the Detroit Lions for five years as a quarterbacks coach and in offensive quality control.
It is pretty neat that Johnson accepted Downing’s invitation so he could mentor the Raiders’ group of receivers.
The Raiders began their OTAs on Tuesday and will finish up this Thursday.
As for Johnson, he made it quite clear that a return to the NFL will not be happening. Johnson retired from the league in 2016 and is the Lions’ all-time leading receiver with 731 receptions, 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns.
We know Johnson is done in the league. But what harm does it do to envision him suiting up in black and silver for just one year to work with young Derek Carr and the exciting Raiders’ offense?
After all, running back Marshawn Lynch had a change of heart. Look where he wound up.