The NFL might have a Megatron resurgence on their hands in the near future.
As per ESPN's Adam Schefter, two teams have already contacted the Detroit Lions about the possibility of trading for the rights of retired wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who last played a pro football game in 2015. The flurry of calls about his availability come ahead of Tuesday's deadline, with multiple teams looking to make a splash and improve their squad in time for the playoffs. Schefter reported that the Lions would be willing to trade Johnson only if he were interested in following through on a comeback attempt. So far, those who have gotten in touch with Johnson said he sounded "noncommittal at best."
Johnson, 32, is retired and doesn't look to be in a hurry to change that. That being said, his stats should tantalize several organizations. Over the course of his nine-year career, he recorded 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. Any team who would trade for him would also be taking on a very hefty contract, which called for him to have a $15.95 million base salary in 2016. Overall, he also had $67.7 million in base salary remaining on his contract that he walked away from back in 2015.
Johnson's steadfastness in his want to remain retired despite different inquiries hasn't wavered, even with other high-profile player comebacks happening in recent months. Johnson spoke to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press in May concerning Marshawn Lynch's NFL return and had this to say:
"I don't really think about it too much because I got so much going on. I came in with Marshawn. We worked out together down in Orlando with Tom Shaw. I'm going to see him next week because I'm going out there to work with Oakland. But I don't feel any kind of mixed emotions about it now. It doesn't make me think about coming back, not at all."
At this point, there's no way of knowing whether or not any of the offers or inquiries from other teams will be enough to lure Megatron out of retirement, but for fans of NFL football, the possibility is still one that should make many mouths water.