Calvin Johnson: 5 Reasons Why Next Year Is His Last in a Detroit Lions Uniform

In case you haven't heard, Megatron has two more years on his contract but he can opt out of the last year. So far, his career has been marred by inconsistency and injuries.  Nevertheless, he has clearly established himself as one of the top receivers in the NFL.

But how much longer can he tolerate the losing?

The Lions finished the season strong, but if there is one thing they need to do next year, it's keep Calvin happy. How do they do that?

Prove to him that this team has a future.

Here are my five reasons why I think the Lions are destined to lose their best player.

Matt Stafford

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Calvin Johnson #81 and Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions watch the clock run down during the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated the Lions 24-20. (Photo b

You see that guy on the left?

If Calvin leaves, you can thank him.

Quarterback Matt Stafford clearly hasn't been able to stay healthy, which is hurting Calvin's progress. We hear every offseason about the chemistry between the two and we have barely seen it the last two years.

If there's one thing that stands out in my mind, it is the look on Calvin's face two years ago in a game against Seattle, where Stafford was an interception machine. The Lions better get Stafford back on track.

Better Places to Go

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions catches a touchdown pass in the last minute of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won 14-12. (Photo

Calvin knows how good he is. And deep down, despite his humble nature, he knows how bad the Lions are. And when he sees guys like Greg Jennings and Reggie Wayne playing with elite quarterbacks, he starts to realize that he can be way better than them if he had the right guy throwing it to him.

Can you imagine if he played for New England? Indianapolis? San Diego? He could shatter all of the single season receiving records.

Losing Sucks

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions catches the ball on an 87-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Gian

In Calvin's first four years, the Lions have a 15-49 record, including the infamous 0-16 season in which, ironically, Calvin had his best season thus far. But he has said in recent interviews that he does not like to lose. Losing will take a toll on anybody's confidence.

Even if the Lions attempt to overpay him, he knows that even if he gets less money somewhere else, he'll be on a winning team, which is clearly what he values most at this point in his career.

History Shows No Signs of Hope

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions runs toward the end zone against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 28-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty I

It seems as though no team in the NFL has had a bigger habit of losing than the Lions. Even teams like the Rams, Buccanneers, Raiders and Chiefs have improved their squads in half the time the Lions have taken to assemble theirs. Every year we hear about the rookies and free agents coming in and how they expect improvements. Yeah, they were competitive this year, but you don't get wins by just being competitive.

The NFL system is built in a way where you can go from nothing to something in a short period of time. The Lions are still figuring out how this system works. What will make Calvin think that they will finally start winning some meaningful games?

Who Says the Lions Will Re-Sign Him?

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions leaps to catch a touchdown pass between Derrick Martin #29 and Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan

Some Lions fans will yell out a big "Are you serious?!" right now. But hear me out.

What if he gets hurt again next year and misses more games? What if he plays all 16 games, but his production is not spectacular? If I'm gonna pay a wide receiver big money, I expect him to be able to do anything and everything. Calvin's game has been the deep ball and nothing else.

Would you pay 70-80 million for a guy who just runs streak routes all day?

Conclusion

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions looks on against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

I honestly feel bad for the guy. He deserves better. So enjoy him for one more year, Lions fans, because another lackluster season will send him running for the hills.

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