For five years, Calvin Johnson has thrilled Detroit Lions fans, helping the city’s NFL franchise recover from almost unimaginable depths to become one of the league’s most exciting young teams.
Now the Lions are rewarding the star receiver, giving “Megatron” a contract worthy of his catchy nickname.
Johnson has signed an eight-year deal worth up to $132 million, making him the highest paid receiver in the NFL. He had a year remaining on his original deal after being drafted in 2007, but this extension starts immediately and runs through the 2019 season.
“I’m so comfortable here now,” the 26-year-old Johnson said during a news conference Wednesday. “At first, not at all, but being here for five years, being around these people here in Detroit, teammates and just the city — I’m just growing accustomed to it.”
Johnson’s agent, Bus Cook, said the contract is worth $60 million guaranteed.
“Calvin’s one of those guys — we’ve said this about a few guys that we have in our building — whatever they pay him is not enough,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. “He’s truly a special player.”
Congrats...
