Calvin Johnson visits Lions OTAs, says he's a fan of Dan Campbell and staff

The Detroit Lions and Calvin Johnson appear to have officially agreed to mend fences.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver and Lions legend, who had been at odds with the franchise in the past, paid a visit to the team’s OTAs Wednesday, and had some big compliments for head coach Dan Campbell and his team.

absolutely love to see it

👋 @calvinjohnsonjr pic.twitter.com/8sXHyFZOKR

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 24, 2023

“Being able to talk to the coaches and whatnot, it’s very cool,” Johnson told Ryan Ermanni of Fox 2. “I’m a fan of the game, I’m a fan of Dan and the coaching staff he has over there because I know how much the team will learn from that, will glean from that. It’s very exciting the way they ended last year, it’s very exciting the way they’re going into this year.”

Johnson spent nine seasons in Detroit (2007-15), hauling in a franchise high 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. He made six Pro Bowl appearances and earned three All-Pro nods. Johnson set the NFL single-season receiving record in 2012 when he compiled 1,964 yards.

He retired following the 2015 season, and shortly thereafter, his tumultuous relationship with the franchise began. According to Johnson, the Lions forced him to pay back the roughly $1.6 million signing bonus from the eight-year extension he signed in 2012.

In 2019, Johnson issued an ultimatum.

“We’re trending up. We’re trying to come together and make something happen,” Johnson said, via Heavy. “Obviously I’d love to be around the team and do more things there and help the guys out. It’s good that we’re moving in the right direction.”

Calvin Johnson gives advice to young Lions wideout

In the aftermath of his retirement, the Lions had been looking to find a true No. 1 wideout. They found one six years later when they selected Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth-round (112th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft out of USC. The 23-year-old followed up his impressive rookie campaign with a 1,000-yard season in 2022.

In addition to St. Brown, Detroit spent its 12th overall selection in last year’s draft on receiver Jameson Williams out of Alabama. After suiting up in just six games last season, Williams is set to miss the first six games of the 2023 season after the NFL suspended him for violating the league’s gambling policy.

Johnson offered some advice to Williams, saying he must overcome that adversity.

“It’s really just how you interact with that adversity,” Johnson said. “How do you combat that adversity? Do you allow the adversity to hold you down or do you push up? Do you thrive?… You stand back up? This is all about getting back up.  No matter how many times you’re getting knocked down, you just got to keep on getting back up and you’ll find success.”