Detroit Lions have begun contract talks with WR Calvin Johnson - NFL News
Detroit Lions' wide receiver, Calvin Johnson, is one of the best in his position in the National Football League (NFL) and with his contract expiring after the 2012-13 season, Detroit's President, Tom Lewand, last week announced in an interview that talks
over a new long-term contract with Johnson have already been started.
"He's obviously somebody that we want to keep around for a long, long time. We've been in discussions with him, we'll continue those, but as I said, he's under contract for 2012, so he's not going anywhere. We'll continue to work with him. The good news
there is that he's really expressed an interest in staying."
Johnson had a brilliant season with Detroit this year as he combined sensationally well with quarterback, Matthew Stafford, to power the Lions into the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
Even though Detroit were knocked out in the Wildcard round by National Football Conference (NFC) South division side, New Orleans Saints, the feat of brining playoff football back to Ford Field was a big achievement that the franchise can build on into the
future.
Johnson combined with Stafford for a total of 1,681 receiving yards scoring 16 touchdowns from 96 receptions.
Those statistics have made him a hero in Motor city and the Lions are looking to end all contract distractions before the start of the new season and keep him in Detroit for a long, long time.
With Johnson being Stafford’s preferred offensive outlet most of the time and the two players’ brilliant synergy will make keeping Johnson for many more years a top-priority for Detroit.
"As I mentioned earlier, he's got a great relationship with Matthew," Lewand said. "I think we've got the makings of what could be one of the great batteries in the league in Calvin and Matthew. So there's a desire among all parties to keep that together,”
The Lions started of the 2011-12 season on fire and powered by Stafford and Johnson, they made a first 5-0 start in the league since 1956.
Detroit then had a run of inconsistent results, but managed to win three of their last four games and with their rivals for a wildcard spot struggling to keep up, comfortably secured a spot in the postseason.
This year, the Lions will be looking to go one better than their 10-6 season, and go further in the playoffs as the franchise looks to secure its place as an Elite franchise.
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