ALLEN PARK, Mich. — There aren’t enough mega superlatives to describe what Calvin Johnson means to the Lions — and how much they were willing to pay to lock up his services for the rest of his career.
Suffice to say that “Megatron” — the nickname for the freakishly talented All-Pro wide receiver — has a new mega deal that makes him mega rich.
Johnson vaulted to the top of the pay scale for NFL receivers by signing a contract Wednesday that will pay him a reported $132 million, with a record $60 million guaranteed, over eight years.
Johnson had one year left on the original six-year deal he signed in 2007, but Lions president Tom Lewand confirmed the contract officially is now an eight-year deal.
Johnson remained in character — low key and mega humble — during Wednesday's news conference at team headquarters.
“What a tremendous blessing this is,” he said. “Being here right now, it hasn’t hit me yet. Whenever I come to this place, it’s all about work. My body is trained when I’m here to work.”
Johnson said he had spoken with a number of teammates during negotiations, including quarterback Matthew Stafford.
“They all said to me, ‘We got that out of the way, so we’re ready to work now,’ ” Johnson said.
Stafford expressed his feelings on his Twitter account.
“Couldn't happen to a better guy!” Stafford tweeted. “Glad to have him back for a while!”
Coach Jim Schwartz began his comments with a joke about Johnson’s contract.
“That deal was signed, right?” Schwartz said, looking over to Johnson. “I’d have held out for more money.”
Schwartz turned serious in describing Johnson’s character.
“We’ve said this about a few guys we have in our building now,” Schwartz said. “Whatever you pay him is not enough.
“This is a great day for every kid who was early for every meeting. This is a great day for every kid who stayed after practice — every kid that put the team before himself, every team that let his play on the field speak for him.
“Because as good a football player as Calvin Johnson is, he’s a better teammate and a better person.”
Schwartz also made reference to the coincidence that Lions owner William Clay Ford turned 87 on Wednesday.
“He’s the only guy I know who on his birthday decided to give a gift to the city of Detroit, the Detroit Lions organization and NFL fans everywhere, to get Calvin under a long-term deal,” Schwartz said.
It’s a big contract for a big-time player.
Many NFL analysts rank Johnson as the NFL’s top wide receiver. At 6-foot-5, 243 pounds and with the speed to run the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds, he's one of the most physically gifted players in the league.
Johnson had 96 catches for 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2011 and was voted All-Pro for the second straight season.
And his contract set a record.
The $60 million guarantee is the biggest for an NFL player, surpassing the $50 million given to St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford on his rookie contract in 2010.
Johnson has moved ahead of the Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald as the NFL’s highest-paid receiver. Fitzgerald signed an eight-year, $120 million deal last year.
Johnson and the team both wanted to get negotiations done to give the Lions more room under this year’s salary cap to help retain some of the team’s own free agents.
Johnson’s salary-cap number for 2012 was almost $22 million before the extension. The new deal drops it to about $9 million.
The free-agent signing period began at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, and the Lions were holding back on negotiations with free agents while working on Johnson’s deal.
Negotiations were completed late Tuesday night, and Johnson flew to Detroit early Wednesday from his home in suburban Atlanta for the news conference.
It was typical of Johnson’s style that there was very little drama in the contract talks.
“They were happy to get this thing done, get it out of the way,” Johnson said of his agent, Bus Cook, and Lewand. “We weren’t butting heads or anything. It was something we knew needed to get done.”
The only strong-arming involved Stafford’s strong right passing arm. Even though Johnson played on losing teams in his first four seasons as a Lions — including an 0-16 record in 2008 — he has never indicated any desire to play for another team.
Having a quarterback of Stafford’s caliber was a prime reason for wanting to stay put, as was Johnson's desire to spend his career with one team.
Stafford and Johnson formed one of the NFL’s most explosive quarterback-receiver combinations in 2011. It was the first time in three years that Stafford was healthy enough to start all 16 games, and he displayed his full potential.
Stafford threw for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns, and Johnson was his primary target.
“Matt’s the hottest thing in it right now, I think,” Johnson said. “The kid has an arm. I wouldn’t consider walking away from that.
“Put it like this: When you’re fortunate to have a good quarterback, those don’t come by a lot in the league. How many teams are looking for a quarterback right now?
“I’d have to be beside myself, really, to leave here, just because of Matt. He’s that good. He’s that good a quarterback. Give it to him.”
Johnson was well-aware the free-agent signing period was beginning Tuesday, and he wanted to give the Lions cap relief.
The Lions have a number of free agents, including offensive tackle Jeff Backus and middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch. Both are starters.
Johnson is one of four Lions who renegotiated contracts this week. Stafford, wide receiver Nate Burleson and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh all have restructured their deals.
“That just shows now unselfish and how much of a winning environment this thing is turning into,” Johnson said. “Guys understand now it’s not just about me getting mine.
“Guys are setting themselves aside to make room for other guys. In this sport, you don’t see a lot of that."
