Report: Lions Want Answer From Calvin Johnson On Future Plans Before Wednesday
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) -- Perhaps the biggest offseason drama in the NFL could soon (finally) be coming to an end.
After weeks of waiting, the Detroit Lions are seemingly ready for Calvin Johnson to make up his mind about his pending retirement plans.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported Monday that the team is telling league agents that they hope to have a decision from Johnson before free agency opens on Wednesday.
"The Lions, in conversations with the representatives of various players across the league, have told people that they hope to know in the next 24 hours what Johnson's plans are for 2016."
As reported by Terry Foster in January, Johnson has been contemplating retirement since the season ended in December. Johnson responded, saying that he was, in fact, thinking about walking away from the game after nine seasons with the Lions.
"There was a period of time where he wasn't saying anything either way," Foster said. "And it gave optimism that perhaps he was going to come back, but everything keeps coming back to the same thing he's beaten up, he's tired, he wants to live a normal life, which I truly respect … Calvin Johnson will retire."
In early January, the Lions issued a statement, "We obviously have profound respect for Calvin and certainly understand and appreciate his decision to give proper thought and consideration to his football future."
New Lions general manager Bob Quinn spoke about the situation at the NFL Combine in February, saying that the team was not going to pressure Johnson into making a decision.
"I don't have any expectations," Quinn said. "We had a good conversation. He didn't tell me if he's leaning one way or the other. We're giving him time to make that decision. There's no deadline."