Detroit Lions Extend Calvin Johnson: Deal Analysis, Grade and Twitter Reaction

The Detroit Lions signed Calvin Johnson to a monster contract extension on Wednesday, essentially giving the 26-year-old receiver everything but the keys to Ford Field.

Megatron's seven-year extension could be worth a total of $132 million and lasts through the 2019 season. The deal will average $18.86 million per season and is worth a record-breaking $60 million guaranteed. Those numbers top Larry Fitzgerald's $16 million per year and $50 million guaranteed. 

Johnson is now the NFL's highest paid player (regardless of position) by far. While this deal makes sense and also frees up some cap space for the Lions in the short-term, it does not come without serious risk.

For an example of what can happen when you invest so much in one player, look at Detroit's division rival, the Minnesota Vikings. Back in September, they handed running back Adrian Peterson a seven-year, $100 million contract, with $36 million guaranteed. No one argued with that deal when it was signed, it made plenty of sense. Then Peterson tore his ACL late in the season and no one knows how good he will be moving forward.

Here are some reactions to the deal from Twitter:

ESPN's Adam Schefter:

The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee:

Lions teammate Jahvid Best:

Still, this is a deal the Lions had to make. Johnson is arguably the best individual player in the NFL and has the ability to single-handedly take over games. The two-time Pro Bowler was always going to get paid, the question was how much. 

It's something the Lions needed to do and the only drawback is the insane price tag. I have to downgrade them slightly for that and the risk involved, but otherwise I thoroughly approve of this deal. 

Grade: A-