Lions star wide receiver Calvin Johnson is expected to make $14 million with Detroit next season. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lions receiver Calvin Johnson has a year left on his contract, but sounded Monday night in an ESPN interview that he's interested in signing an extension with the team this offseason.
"Yeah, definitely, we're going to see here — soon," Johnson told ESPN's Jim Rome during an appearance on "Rome is Burning." "We're going to have some talks soon, and hopefully get things rolling."
Johnson declined to say in the interview if he would prefer to resign with the Lions or go elsewhere.
But Johnson didn't look or sound like he's eager to leave Detroit when Rome asked about his future.
"I'll get back to you on that," Johnson said, grinning.
Johnson, a former Georgia Tech standout, signed a six-year, $64 million deal ($27.18 million guaranteed) with the Lions in 2007. That made him at the time the highest-paid player in franchise history.
He's now the third-highest player in Lions history behind defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh ($60 million, $40 million guaranteed) and Stafford ($72 million, $41.75 guaranteed).
Signing Johnson to an extension is clearly a priority for Lions general manager Martin Mayhew, and possibly soon.
"I think we have an opportunity to work on that this offseason," Mayhew told reporters this month. "I don't think it's something that absolutely has to be done, but we have an opportunity to work on it."
Johnson, 26, had career highs in catches (96), receiving yards (1,681) and touchdown catches (16) during the 2011 season.
He's expected to make $14 million with the Lions next season, but can make the case he deserves top dollar for his position.
Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald is the league's highest paid receiver. Last summer, he signed an eight-year contract worth $120 million.
During the ESPN interview Monday, Johnson appeared focused more on the Lions' future than any looming contract negotiations.
Johnson spoke glowingly about the potential he and Stafford have to build on, claiming the duo can be special if they can "stay on the field" and avoid injuries. Johnson also said he believes the Lions' 10-7 season — which included the franchises first playoff appearance in more than a decade — is "a start" to what could be consistent success.
"We're just building," Johnson said.
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