http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/01/06/calvin-johnson-retire-detroit-lions/78356832/ Not buying it. _
You should definitely buy it. CJ isn't the type of guy to pull this type of thing looking for a way out. CJ has been plagued by nagging injuries the last few years and it's taken a toll on him. He's rarely made practice the last two years because his body just cant take it. Plus, he's already made massive coin and just got hitched. Rumor is that he's been talking to former players to see what life is like after retirement for a while now. I think he's done or will be within a year or two.
He's got to be getting tired of playing in Detroit. He deserves a shot to make a run in the playoffs. A team like Carolina, New England (please no), maybe Minnesota could use another WR.
The only way he leaves is by trade and as much as I'd like to see him team up with Teddy, the Lions aren't trading him to the Vikings. _
I think NFL players are starting to take a new perspective on retirement. With a movie like Concussion, a documentary 30 for 30 Broke (and urging the young players to hire financial advisors), players are slowly starting to realize that they need to get their money and get out as quickly as they can. Chris Borland is an extreme case but we could see this more frequently. All a player really needs to happen is to get a concussion his rookie season, play after it and then witness a year of wear and tear of playing at such a high level, to realize hey maybe I shouldn't do this for a decade. This ends up being the case for the upper level of players in the league. Outside of a Superbowl ring which isn't career defining for a wide receiver what does Calvin really have to gain? He'll always be talked about as one of the best receivers ever, and would most likely never come close to Jerry Rice or his records. For some people that's enough.
Detroit isn't far away from competing they just had a horrible start this past season. Aging WRs who leave their long time team to learn a whole new system hasn't been the smartest career choice in the past ask Ocho Cinco or Andre Johnson.
Winning a SB ring is definitely a goal that a lot of NFL players have. That being said, I don't disagree with you. We may start seeing a complete shift in change in terms of retirement and what not.
Difference is that AJ and Ocho Cinco were on the down when they went to different teams. Calvin Johnson is still very much a great WR.
As per protocol with these leaks, expect a press release saying "no decision has been made regarding my playing future" in 2 hours followed by retirement in a few weeks
I really hope it's not true, or that he changes his mind. He was the first non Jet that was really my favorite player. Every year of his career I've watched the all time list of where he ranked, and I remember him cracking the top 100, then top 50, and now he's only about 2 decent seasons away from top 10 ever. He could get up to 2nd if he really wanted to. It would be a damn shame to see him throw it away. (Not to mention wasting my time all these years tracking his status on the list)
Johnson has been banged up the past few years and seemed to lose his fire...he's still a good WR but hasn't been great for a few years.
