Is Calvin Johnson Coming Back To The NFL?
After a nine-year hiatus, Calvin Johnson is eligible to return to the NFL. But is he coming back?
Introduction
Calvin Johnson, also known by his nickname “Megatron”, is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Georgia Tech, and was drafted by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection, five-time First-team All-Pro, and earned All-Pro honors four times. On March 14, 2016, Johnson officially retired from professional football.
In eight seasons with the Lions, Johnson had 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. His 11,619 career receiving yards place him seventh all-time in NFL history and his 83 touchdown receptions are the fifth-most in league history. He is also one of only five players in NFL history to have at least 1,000 yards receiving in seven consecutive seasons (2008–2014).
Calvin Johnson’s Retirement
Calvin Johnson shocked the NFL world when he abruptly retired at the age of 30 in March 2016, less than a year after signing a lucrative extension with the Detroit Lions.
Since then, there have been rumors that Johnson may make a comeback, particularly after he was spotted working out with former teammate Reggie Bush in April 2017. However, Johnson has given no indication that he plans to return to the NFL, and it seems unlikely that he will do so at this point.
Why Calvin Johnson Might Return to the NFL
In an interview with ESPN’s Michael Rothstein, Johnson said he is “open to the idea” of returning to play in the NFL but that “it would have to be the perfect situation.”
Johnson cited his love for the game of football as one of the reasons he might come back, saying, “I still love playing. I miss it. I miss being out there.”
Johnson also said he has been working out and is in good shape, which would make a return to football possible.
Lastly, Johnson said he would need to be sure that he would be joining a good team with a chance to win if he were to come back to the NFL.
Conclusion
No, Calvin Johnson is not coming back to the NFL. In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Johnson said that he is “not done yet” but that he is “not sure” if he will play again. He also said that he is “happy” with his decision to retire and that he has “no regrets.”
