Calvin Johnson releases statement on his future

Nine NFL seasons appear to have taken a toll on Calvin Johnson both physically and mentally.

So much so that the six-time Pro Bowler and all-time leading receiver in franchise history is contemplating retirement.

“Like many players at this stage of their career, I am currently evaluating options for my future,” Johnson said in a statement released through the team. “I would expect to have a decision regarding this matter in the not-too-distant future.”

WR Calvin Johnson (Photo: Detroit Lions)

Johnson’s dealt with knee, ankle and finger issues the past few seasons.

“We obviously have profound respect for Calvin and certainly understand and appreciate his decision to give proper thought and consideration to his football future,” the Lions said in a statement.

Johnson’s widely considered the franchise’s best player since Barry Sanders after drafting him No. 2 overall in the 2007 draft.

He holds the NFL single-season receiving record at 1,964 yards set in 2012. His production has dipped since that feat, but he still caught 88 passes for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns this past season.

He dealt with an ankle injury most of this season that required rest and management by the team throughout the course of the week to get him ready for gameday. He was listed as questionable on seven of the team’s final eight injury reports.

Johnson has four years remaining on the seven-year, $113.45 million contract he signed before the 2013 season. He’s scheduled to make nearly $16 million next season and count $24 million on the salary cap.

Something seemed a little strange in his behavior following Detroit’s 24-20 win in Chicago to the end the season.

He kept the football after his third-quarter touchdown and shared an emotional moment with quarterbackMatthew Stafford as the two were walking off the field. When asked about it after the game, Stafford declined to comment on what was said between the two.

Johnson, who turns 31 next September, has amassed 11,619 receiving yards and 83 touchdowns in his nine-year career.