Will Calvin Johnson Retire from the Detroit Lions?

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson told the team he plans on retiring. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Johnson told his family and friends before this past season that 2015 would be his last.   The report says head coach Jim Caldwell told Johnson to take his time and not rush his decision. ESPN did not name its sources.

The Detroit Lions are still giving Johnson time to ponder his future.  The team issued a statement Sunday, saying it stands by its previous statement that supported Johnson, after the ESPN report came to light.   Johnson declined to say last season if he would restructure his contract, which calls for him to count $24 million against the salary cap in 2016.  If the 30-year-old Johnson chooses to retire, he will walk away from the game despite having the physical ability to play more, just as Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders did. Sanders was 30 in 1998, his 10th and final season with the Lions.

Johnson has spent his entire nine-year career with the Lions, who drafted him second overall in 2007 out of Georgia Tech.  The 30-year-old set the NFL single-season record with 1,964 receiving yards in 2012.