Calvin Johnson Signs NFL ‘Richest’ $132M Deal

The Detroit Lions locked up one of their key playmakers today by signing wide receiver Calvin Johnson to what’s being reported as a eight-year, $132 million deal — making him the highest-paid player in the National Football League.

Johnson has 366 catches for 5,872 yards and 49 touchdowns in five seasons, just the sixth player in NFL history to cross 5,500 yards and 45 scores in that span of time.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter, based on unidentified sources, reported the financial terms, including that $60 million of the deal is guaranteed.

The Lions have scheduled a 1 p.m. press conference at their Allen Park headquarters to officially announce the deal. But the team broke the news on its Twitter feed this morning.

Johnson, 26, now will be under contract through the 2019 season. He’s among the NFL’s elite receivers, finishing the 2011 season with 96 catches for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns. Johnson led the league in receiving yards last season, and he’s been named to the Pro Bowl the past two seasons.

“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.”

“

Calvin Johnson! Brother you’re Worth every cent!!! But hey,Can I borrow a Dollar! Hahaha Now that’s how its done! Congratulation!

”– Tweet from Vikes RB Adrian Peterson
on Calvin Johnson’s historic contract

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Posted by WoodlawnPost on Mar 15 2012. Filed under Business, Football. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.