Calvin Johnson: Why the Detroit Lions Should Pay Megatron Whatever He Wants

As if the Detroit Lions didn't already have enough problems in one offseason.

Calvin Johnson's contract is set to expire at the end of the 2012 season. He wants a long-term deal, and he wants a salary comparable to or better than the current highest-paid WR in the NFL, Larry Fitzgerald.

The Lions want to pay him, too, supposedly. However, with the new salary cap that the NFL instituted as part of their new collective bargaining agreement, they realistically may not be able to.

The Lions are swimming in very dangerous waters when handling Johnson's salary. The Lions already have three players with astronomical contracts—Kyle Vanden Bosh, Ndamukong Suh and Matthew Stafford. You can throw Nate Burleson in too for good measure.

Granted, the Lions could cut Vanden Bosh and do some major contract restructuring, but that is often risky. With a contract like Vanden Bosh's, if you release him with a certain number of years left and money owed, you are still obligated to pay him the majority or remainder of his contract.

Another issue facing the Lions is that if the Lions invest the bulk of their money in Johnson, that leaves little flexibility for them to make moves elsewhere.

You know what though? I don't care.

The Lions should and must pay Megatron what he wants. He is far too valuable to the team to let him just walk after next season and get nothing in return.

This season, in case you haven't been paying attention, Johnson's numbers were off the charts. He was among the NFL leaders in receptions, yards and touchdowns. He earned a trip to the Pro Bowl, and quickly cemented his legacy as a premier receiver in the NFL.

Another reason the Lions must keep CJ at all costs is because Johnson is still only in the prime of his career. With Stafford throwing to him, Johnson can even build upon those numbers from this season.

The combination of Stafford and Johnson reminds me a lot of Joe Montana to Jerry Rice, Brett Favre to Antonio Freeman, etc. Johnson's skills go unmatched, and he makes plays no human being on Earth can make.

The Lions face some major salary issues in the next few offseasons. This offseason, they must decide whether or not to keep defensive end Cliff Avril and middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch. If they re-sign Avril, he is due for a significant pay raise.

Lions chief financial officer Tom Lewand is no dummy when it comes to handling salaries. After all, the Lions have managed to dole out one-year stopgap contracts with marginal success.

Believe what you will, but I have little doubt that the Lions will find some way to make it work. It starts by paying Johnson what he wants before he walks.

There's an old movie called Pay It Forward; the Lions should watch it. Johnson deserves to be the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. Pay him like it.