Lions Expect Calvin Johnson To Make Decision Regarding His Future Around Noon Today

Update:

Rand Getlin of NFL Media reports that the Lions expect WR Calvin Johnson to make a decision whether to return for the 2016 season or retire around noon today.

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Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that the Lions told people that they are hoping to know whether WR Calvin Johnson plans on returning for the 2016 season by Tuesday.

While Lions GM Bob Quinn said previously that they’ve decided against giving Johnson a deadline to make a decision, Birkett mentions that they’re now “pushing to get an answer soon.”

Here’s what Quinn said at the Combine:

“That’s just the decision that we made internally to not put a deadline on Calvin,” Quinn said. “That’s something that we’ve talked about, myself, Coach (Jim) Caldwell, Rod Wood. That’s just the way we’re going to go about business in terms of what Calvin’s decision may or may not be.”

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk previously mentioned that people at the Scouting Combine were openly wondering if Johnson announcing that he’s considering retirement was him just dragging his feet to get the Lions to cut him.

However, Johnson’s reps have shot this idea down.

Johnson, 30, is in the fourth year of his eight-year, $150.5 million contract that included $60 million guaranteed. He stands to make base salaries of $12.5 million (2015), $15.95 million (2016), $16.5 million (2017), $17 million (2018), and $18.25 million (2019).

In 2015, Johnson appeared in all 16 games and recorded 88 receptions for 1,214 yards receiving and nine touchdowns for the Lions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 5 receiver out of 119 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Johnson’s future in the NFL as the news is available.