Calvin Johnson Saga: Fans Still Divided Regarding Money Being Paid Back

Could the Calvin Johnson feud with the Detroit Lions be coming to an end?

The Detroit Lions and their former star wideout appear to be heading towards an amicable resolution to their widely publicized dispute. 

Lions team president Rod Wood and the organization have reportedly been actively working to repair their relationship with Johnson since the team took back a large portion of a signing bonus upon his retirement. 

"On the Hall of Fame, we’re working actively with Calvin (Johnson) and his team on celebrations at the Hall of Fame and continuing to have conversations with him. I know he’s mentioned publicly that he’s connected with Sheila (Ford Hamp), and that’s a positive step," Wood told reporters. "So, we’ll continue to celebrate with him, and I think the relationship is headed in the right direction.”

On Tuesday, the Detroit Free Press suggested the plan is still in motion to return money back to Johnson, pending finalization of how to actually make the payments. 

“The Lions are going to give Calvin his money to get him back in the fold, it’s just a matter of how the payments are structured to make it happen,” Dave Birkett tweeted.

The Lions are going to give Calvin his money to get him back in the fold, it’s just a matter of how the payments are structured to make it happen https://t.co/i2frhO19x9

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 25, 2021

The feud continues to have strong supporters on both sides of the argument -- with fans debating whether or not the Lions should have asked for money back, plus individuals weighing in on the organization's potential decision to return the money back to him. 

Here is a small sample of the responses on social media to Birkett's nugget of information Tuesday: 

"The money isn't his" argument seems short-sighted and backwards. As a fan, wouldn't people want the franchise icons/HoFers to be treated well and taken care of? Not saying cut CJ a check just because. Saying don't ask for money back and potentially fracture a relationship

— Drew (@fearlessfairles) May 25, 2021

Why?

— Dan Campbell SZN (@DANCAMPBELLSZN) May 25, 2021

Finally. Dude put his body on the line every week. And for those complaining, Andrew Luck walked away with over $20+ million in bonus money and wasn't asked to give any back. The $1 million or so that Calvin is getting is nothing. Repair the relationship and move on.

— Dlionsroar (@dlionsroar) May 25, 2021

People can argue either way on this, but the bottom line is it was a bad look for a team that has done it with amazing proficiency over the years.

Is this another sign this franchise is moving away from its old SOL ways?

Stay tuned !!!

— Joel Felan (@joelfelan) May 25, 2021

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