Dear Detroit Lions General Manager Bob Quinn,
Just cut Calvin Johnson already. Take the decision out of his hands. No non-quarterback is worth a $24 million dollar cap hit.
Seriously Bob, just do it already.
Sincerely,
Dorf
In all seriousness, the Detroit Lions need to take Calvin Johnson’s retirement decision out of his hands. The cannot afford the financial end of a Calvin Johnson return, even if he is still a quality NFL player.
If Calvin Johnson desires to return to the NFL, the Detroit Lions cannot afford keep him. With a ton of holes in the roster and impending extensions with defensive studs Ziggy Ansah and Darius Slay, they have to release Calvin Johnson to escape his horrible salary obligations.
Bob Quinn shouldn’t feel any obligation to Calvin Johnson because he wasn’t a member of the organization at the time of the signing. He comes from the New England Patriots, who would cut Jesus Christ himself if it helped out their salary cap picture. While I cannot say for sure that he shares that philosophy 100 percent, but evidence dictates that he likely will.
Another variable to consider is ownership. The Detroit Lions have always have kept around “names” who have outlived their usefulness because they love their stars. If Martha Ford has an irrational love for a fading player, the decision may be out of Bob Quinn’s hands. Now, Martha Ford has played the grim reaper role with highly unpopular executives, but it remains to be seen how she will treat fading star players.
Now, it isn’t practical to release Calvin Johnson today. If they release Calvin Johnson, they will incur a $12,916,000 dead cap penalty for the 2016 season. If they wait till June 1st, that penalty drops to $8,058,000 for the 2016 season. Regardless of when they release Calvin Johnson (or if he retires) the Detroit Lions would have a salary cap penalty of $4,858,000 in 2017 and $3,500,000 for the 2018 season.
The Detroit Lions currently have 46 contracts on the books for the 2016 season with approximately $21 million dollars in cap space without having to do anything. The can open up an additional $13 million dollars in cap space by cutting linebacker Stephen Tulloch, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, running back Joique Bell, and corner back Rashean Mathis. Assuming all that happens, the Detroit Lions could have about $50 million dollars in space to remake this roster. For that fact alone, this move should be a no brainer.
But this is the Detroit Lions, nothing is a no brainer.
