3 Biggest Winners and Losers of Monster Calvin Johnson Lions Extension

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Detroit Lions just made Calvin Johnson one rich Decepticon:

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Filed to ESPN: Lions reached agreement with WR Calvin Johnson on a seven-year, $132 million extension that includes $60 million guaranteed.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2012"

 

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After all, Megatron is the NFL's best offensive weapon and has been one of the most consistent performers since his rookie season in 2007.

Even when the Lions went 0-16 in 2008, Johnson recorded over 1,300 yards and scored 12 touchdowns on 78 receptions.

With that, here are three winners and losers from Megatron's extension.

Winner: Lions Fans

From 1991-2001, Detroit Lions fans got to watch Herman Moore work defenses consistently. He was one of the most underrated receivers of his era.

Moore currently holds multiple Lions receiving records, including career yards (9,174), receptions (670), touchdowns (62) and the two of the same categories for a single season.

There, Moore's records are 1,686 yards and 123 receptions, both of which happened in 1995, earning him a first-team All-Pro selection.

Moore was a treat for Lions fans, and not only is Calvin Johnson matching Moore, he's calling those numbers and raising them to another level.

In short, Detroit fans got to see their best receiver in franchise history during the 1990s. Now, there's a guy who is simply taking that standard into uncharted waters.

Loser: Every Defense the Lions Offense Plays for the Next 7 Years

For the past two seasons, Calvin Johnson has been a Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.

He's easily been the most exciting receiver in pro football, and ironically, plays in the NFL's worst division when it comes to pass defense.

The NFC North in 2011 had its best pass defense ranked No. 22 and allowed almost 240 pass yards per game. Fortunately for The Motor City, that ranking belonged to the Lions.

Green Bay was dead last, Chicago finished at No. 28 and Minnesota was No. 26. The entire division combined for allowing an average of 261 passing yards per game.

Looking ahead to the Lions 2012 schedule and outside of the division, we see other weak pass defenses from last season such as Atlanta (No. 20) and Tennessee (No. 14, but no longer has CB Cortland Finnegan).

Therefore, expect another great season from Megatron and opposing defenses to get blazed on a weekly basis. Check that: Make it a yearly basis for almost another decade.

Winner: Lions Pass Defense

As previously mentioned, the Detroit Lions finished the 2011 season with the No. 22-ranked pass defense.

Can you imagine if Calvin Johnson got to play against them twice a season?

The Lions last year allowed an average of just under 240 passing yards per game, but allowed just five receivers to record over 100 yards. Now, that's not impressive by any means, but considering how susceptible Detroit was against the pass, I would've guessed more.

In any event, a big reason why the Lions didn't allow so many yards to one receiver is because opposing quarterbacks would spread the ball around quite well against them.

So, we'd see multiple targets get around 70 to 80 yards (give or take), and no one could consistently lockdown in man-to-man.

Luckily, Calvin and the offense were able to dice up opposing defenses even more, which will continue in the immediate future. So, there's a lot less pressure on the Detroit pass defense to dominate as the league's most dangerous target resides on the same sideline.

Loser: Lions Checkbook

Yes, this was a good move for the Detroit Lions, as Calvin Johnson has proven his value to the franchise and the city every season he's been lined up out wide.

Still, $60 million guaranteed is a good hunk of dough, and maintaining the supporting cast around him is not going to be easy.

Also, other concerns are: What if Calvin gets injure or underproduces?

These are just a few questions to consider when offering a player a nine-digit contract over seven years.

You could also argue that Detroit did overpay for him, as Johnson has only been in the league for five seasons. He is, though, a two-time All-Pro and on the fast track to surpassing all of Herman Moore's records.

If anything, we have to expect that defenses will strictly gameplan in trying to isolate Megatron as much as possible. The more a defense can slow him down, the better odds of defeating the Lions.

Winner: Calvin Johnson

Regardless of how well, or not well, Calvin Johnson performs during the tenure of this monstrous contract, he's clearly winning on a level that makes Charlie Sheen jealous.

Who in their right state of mind would turn down a contract of this magnitude? We're all looking at you, Drew Brees.

Perhaps the best part of this contract is its longevity as well.

It's easy to get caught up in the numbers of dollars per season and what's guaranteed, but a long-term offer such as this is arguably the most appealing for Johnson.

He gets to remain in the city that drafted him and play for the franchise through the 2018 season. By then, Megatron will be 33 years old before the 2019 season begins.

And considering how long receivers have lasted in recent years—i.e., Randy Moss, Derrick Mason, Terrell Owens—Johnson will still have another three or four years left in him (minimum) when that time comes.

Loser: Eric Wright

Yes, Eric Wright is getting paid, but not by the Lions.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struck a deal with the cornerback:

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Wright earlier Wednesday signed a five-year deal with the Buccaneers. A league source told Schefter that the contract is worth $37.5 million, including $15.5 million guaranteed.

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Fortunately for Wright, he and the Buccaneers don't play the Lions in 2012; however, it's not entirely out of the realm of impossibility about a playoff matchup.

And if that doesn't occur, at some point over the next few years, we'll see Wright get to cover Megatron, which will be hilarious.

Despite recording 13 career interceptions, defending 63 total passes and making 322 tackles, Wright has never made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team. If anything, Wright has been inconsistent, so it wasn't surprising to see the Lions not re-sign him in the first place.

As mentioned earlier, the Lions pass defense is fortunate to be on the same team as Megatron. Eric Wright, though, remains in the same conference.

John Rozum onTwitter.