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The Detroit Lions signed star receiver Calvin Johnson to a seven-year extension Wednesday, the team announced on its Twitter account.
The Lions’ official web site characterized the deal as “a seven-year extension worth close to $130 million.” But an NFL source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the contract is worth $132 million and includes $60 million guaranteed.
Johnson's contract is the richest deal ever for an NFL wide receiver, exceeding the $120 million deal Larry Fitzgerald signed with the Arizona Cardinals last year.
The extension puts Johnson under contract with the Lions through the 2019 season.
According to the DetroitLions.com staffer Tim Twentyman, the contract reduces Johnson’s cap hit this year, meaning they’ll have more money available to re-sign linebacker Stephen Tulloch, who now looks like their top priority in free agency.
Johnson, who was set to enter the final season of the deal he signed as the No. 2 pick overall in the 2007 draft, just finished one of the greatest seasons by a wide receiver in NFL history.
He had 96 catches for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns -- all career highs -- becoming only the third player in league history with at least 95 catches, 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns in a season.
His receiving yards are the seventh-highest total in NFL history and the most since Rams receiver Torry Holt had 1,696 in 2003.
Only Johnson and receiver Randy Moss have ever registered 1,600-plus yards and 16-plus touchdowns in a single season.
Johnson had nine touchdowns in the first five games of the season -- the team started 5-0 -- and had three 200-yard receiving games over the last four games, including a 211-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Lions' playoff loss to the Saints.
"Here's the deal," said Lions receivers coach Shawn Jefferson. "Calvin is just entering into the prime of his career. The things you saw Calvin do this year, the next five years, you're going to see even better things coming. You are going to see even more explosion out of this guy and it's going to be scary. I think this guy is rewriting the books."
Johnson is just the sixth player in league history with 45 touchdowns and 5,500 yards through his first five seasons. ...
As Profootballtalk.com's Michael David Smith pointed out this morning, the $60 million “guarantee” may not be fully guaranteed. As we’ve seen many times with NFL contracts, guarantees can be less than advertised. But Johnson will clearly be among the highest-paid players in NFL history -- and he's is worth it.
Smith added: "[Johnson is] known as a consummate professional, hard worker and good teammate who doesn’t get in trouble off the field.
"This looks like a deal that should make both sides happy."
There will be no argument from the Fantasy perspective. Whatever keeps Johnson and Matthew Stafford happy and working in the same offense for years to come is good news in our world.