It was only a matter of time, really.
There was no way the Lions were going to let receiver Calvin Johnson, the game's most dynamic offensive weapon, head into the last year of the contract he signed as a rookie.
Instead, the Lions made Johnson the highest-paid receiver in the history of the NFL. Johnson agreed to a seven-year extension worth close to $130 million, according to sources. The extension will make him a Lion through 2019.
It also tops the eight-year, $120 million deal receiver Larry Fitzgerald signed with the Cardinals prior to last season.
More importantly, the deal reduces Johnson's $22 million cap number for the 2012 season and will allow the Lions to go after some of their free agent targets, specifically linebacker Stephen Tulloch.
Johnson 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.
