Lions WR Johnson signs richest deal ever
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff game. (Jan. 7, 2012) Credit: AP
Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed the most lucrative contract in NFL history Wednesday as the free-agent frenzy continued with a flurry of megabucks transactions.
Johnson's $132-million deal will keep him in a Lions uniform through the 2019 season. It includes $60 million guaranteed, surpassing the $120 million ($50 million guaranteed) given to Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald last year.
"Calvin's one of those guys -- we've said this about a few guys that we have in our building -- whatever they pay him is not enough," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "He's truly a special player."
Johnson had 96 catches for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, helping the Lions reach the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Jerry Rice and Randy Moss are the only other players to have had at least 1,600 receiving yards and 15 TDs in a season.
Elsewhere, the Peyton Manning sweepstakes continued in Tennessee. The Bucs, known for pinching pennies, suddenly opened their vault, and the Eagles reached deep into their bank account to retain three of their best players.
Manning met for 6 1/2 hours with officials of the Titans, the fourth team he has visited since the Colts released him last week after 14 seasons. He is expected to choose from among the Titans, Dolphins, Broncos and Cardinals but has not given a timetable for his decision.
Titans owner Bud Adams said he has placed the highest priority on signing Manning, who spoke with coach Mike Munchak, general manager Ruston Webster and president Mike Reinfeldt. Adams did not attend. Titans spokesman Robbie Bohren declined to comment on the meeting after Manning left.
The Bucs added three high-priced free agents in the first 24 hours of the signing period. After getting receiver Vincent Jackson (Chargers) late Tuesday, the Bucs got back to work early Wednesday and inked cornerback Eric Wright (Lions) and guard Carl Nicks (Saints) to lucrative five-year deals. Jackson signed for $55.55 million, while Wright received $37.5 million and Nicks was given $47.5 million.
The Eagles kept offensive lineman Todd Herremans, defensive end Trent Cole and receiver DeSean Jackson, who had been involved in testy negotiations before getting a five-year, $51-million deal Wednesday.
The Jaguars added a No. 1 wide receiver, former Cowboy Laurent Robinson, who agreed to a five-year, $32.5-million contract, including $14 million guaranteed.
The Chiefs signed running back Peyton Hillis, who had an injury-filled second season in Cleveland after rushing for 1,177 yards in 2010.
Former Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne had been a possible choice to sign as a Jets backup under new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, the former Dolphins coach, but Henne signed a two-year deal with Jacksonville, where he will compete with starter Blaine Gabbert.
The run on free-agent cornerbacks continued as the Cowboys signed former Chief Brandon Carr for five years and $50.1 million. On Tuesday, the Rams signed former Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan to a five-year, $51-million contract.
The Cowboys also agreed to a three-year deal with quarterback Kyle Orton to back up Tony Romo.
Defensive end Mario Williams spent the last two days in Buffalo. The Bills said the Texans' former No. 1 overall draft pick would remain overnight and return this morning, perhaps to sign what would be the richest free-agent deal so far.
