Calvin Johnson reportedly is set to retire for the Detroit Lions and that could lead the team to target the wide receiver position in free agency and the drat this offseason.
Johnson reportedly has told head coach Jim Caldwell and Lions ownership about his plans, according to NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport. The first news about Johnson's thoughts on retiring came after the season and more reports have come out over the past month about what the super star receiver will do. Adam Schefter at ESPN reports that Johnson told Caldwell about his decision right after the season ended and that a source close to Johnson says that he is "pretty content" with the plan.
Rapoport reported last week that the Lions' "goal" is to try and keep Johnson with a new contract if they can convince him to keep playing. The report says that the team will try and get Johnson on a "Larry Fitzgerald-esque extension," which could help lower his $24 million cap number for next season. Before the season ended, there was speculation that Johnson could be released or traded due to his high salary and cap number for next season.
That all came before the retirement talk and now the team may try and convince Johnson to keep playing. Either way, the Lions likely will target the WR position this offseason and that could lead the team to dip into free agency if Johnson retires. Players like Alshon Jeffery, Travis Benjamin, Rishard Matthews and Jermaine Kearse are hitting the market and could be potential options for the Lions. The team also could target players like Laquon Treadwell, Michael Thomas or Braxton Miller in the draft.
Treadwell is looking like he could be a top 10 pick this season and that would require the Lions to move up in the draft. There is always a chance he slips after draft workouts and the combine, but Treadwell is looking like he will be one of the first WRs off the board in the draft. Last season Treadwell had 82 catches for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns for Ole Miss and proved that he could stay healthy after suffering a serious injury the previous season.
Jeffery is likely returning to the Bears, but if he hits the open market there is chance a team like the Lions will go after him. Other players in free agency that could be targets include Jermaine Kearse and Travis Benjamin. Kearse is coming off of a career season and is not expected to return to the Seahawks after the emergence of Tyler Lockett. Benjamin is a target to come back for the Browns, but after putting up the best numbers of his career he could be too pricey for the team.
