The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with their first-round pick, wide receiver Calvin Johnson, on a whopping six-year, $55.5 million contract that includes almost $27.2 million worth of guarantees. The contract has a maximum value of $64 million, and it makes him the highest-paid player in Lions history.
Unlike other rookie deals, it includes guaranteed money paid out from the moment Johnson signs it. It also includes another $4.5 million in bonuses that Johnson, the second overall pick in the draft, should earn by the middle of this season if he sees even a minimum amount of playing time.
"It's good to be on the field and not be dealing with contract stuff any more," Johnson said. "At first, I was trying to be patient, but it's been pretty nerve-racking for the last few days."
Johnson was regarded by some as the best player in the draft after catching 78 passes for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns during his All-America junior season at Georgia Tech. He won the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top college receiver.
The Lions made room for Johnson on the roster by placing quarterback Drew Stanton - a rookie second-round pick out of Michigan State - on injured reserve, meaning he's out for the season. Stanton had arthroscopic knee surgery earlier in the week.
"He's a quick study, so we put him right out there with the ones in the two-minute drill," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said of Johnson. "We've got some receivers whose legs are gone, and Calvin's fresh, so he's going right into the fire."
Information from the Associated Press was included in this report
