Skip to content

Megatron happy for Stafford: 'It sucked' Lions didn't let me go

Ron Elkman/Sports Imagery / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Calvin Johnson is happy for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason.

"Matthew is doing well. I'm happy for him because he's happy that he's out in California," the Hall of Fame wide receiver recently said on "The Hook." " ... When he's comfortable, he's good where he's at, you can only expect good things from him. I look forward to seeing him out there."

Johnson only wished the Lions had done the same for him when he wanted out of Detroit.

"It sucked that they didn't let me go but they let Matthew go. But, hey, you know, it is what it is. I'm not mad at Matthew, I love Matthew," said Johnson, who added he would've played for any team, but the former wideout didn't receive Detroit's permission to join another club prior to his retirement despite making a request.

Selected second overall in 2007, Johnson enjoyed a historic career with the Lions, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in receptions (731), receiving yards (11,619), and touchdown catches (83) before retiring suddenly at age 30 in 2015.

Johnson cited health concerns and the Lions' lack of success during his nine-season tenure as the reasons for ending his career.

The legendary receiver didn't walk away on good terms with the team. He hung up his cleats just three years after inking a massive eight-year extension, and Detroit asked him to give back $1.6 million of his signing bonus.

Though the two sides have been trying to reconcile, they apparently aren't close.

"I'm not back in the family with the Lions or anything like that," Johnson said. "It would be nice if they try to resolve things, but that's neither here nor there."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox