New York Jets: Calvin Johnson could be coaxed out of retirement

Former All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson could be coaxed out of retirement for the right opportunity. Here’s why the New York Jets are the perfect fit.

If New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas convinced one guy out of retirement (Ryan Kalil), why can’t he convince another?

Former All-Pro and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson hasn’t played in the NFL since 2015, but he could be convinced to come back for the right opportunity.

Megatron only played nine seasons in the league and retired at the age of 30, which means he has plenty of gas left in the tank.

Over the final three years of his career, injuries started to mount and he was forced to miss five games. While that may not seem like a lot, he played through so many injuries and his style of play opened him up to physical punishment.

On top of the physical toll the game took, the constant losing wore on Calvin. In his entire career, the Detroit Lions only made the playoffs twice (2011, 2014) they went one-and-done in both appearances.

The last time the Lions won a playoff game was back in 1991, that was Barry Sanders third year in the pros.

Calvin Johnson started to question whether it was worth it to put his body through irreparable harm for no chance at a title. So he said screw it and hung up his cleats.

Now at the ripe age of 33 (will be 34 during the 2019 season), now is the perfect time for Megatron to make his return to the league.

After resting his body for the last four years, Calvin can pick up right where he left off. In the last six years of his NFL career:

• Johnson recorded six straight 1,000 yard seasons.
• Scored 62 receiving touchdowns.
• Secured 538 receptions.
• Or in other words, Megatron averaged 90 receptions, 10.3 touchdowns, and 1,425 yards per season during that stretch.

Like so many receivers in NFL history, he didn’t leave the game washed up, he left on his own terms. Now he can come back on his own terms.

The New York Jets lack a true No. 1 wide receiver in their offense.

They have guys who can do different things like Quincy Enunwa or Jamison Crowder, but they’re complementary pieces in an offense.

The tallest wide receiver listed on the Jets roster is Robby Anderson at 6-foot-3, but he’s only 190 pounds soaking wet.

The last time Calvin measured in he stood at 6-foot-5 and weighed north of 237 pounds. He was a man’s man that dominated the red-zone and could stretch the field with the best of them. Johnson would quite literally be a perfect fit for this green and white offense.

While wide receiver isn’t the biggest need for the Jets and they could use their resources to fix some of the other problems on the roster, namely corner, how can you pass up adding one of the best receivers of the 21st century?

If Joe Douglas could convince Kalil to get off the rocker, I’m sure he can convince Calvin Johnson to come out of retirement to go snag that elusive championship ring or at the very least help him get the first playoff win of Megatron’s career.