Calvin Johnson: Lions must pay back signing bonus to repair relationship

Calvin Johnson's career with the Detroit Lions ended on a sour note, but the former All-Pro receiver is open to repairing the relationship under one condition.

"They already know what they got to do," Johnson told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "The only way they're going to get me back is they put that money back in my pocket. Nah, you don't do that. I don't care what they say. They can put it back, then they can have me back. That's the bottom line."

Johnson abruptly retired following the 2015 season, citing multiple injuries. When the move was made official, Detroit forced him to repay a portion of the $16-million signing bonus he received from his eight-year extension in 2012.

Lions president Rod Wood recently said re-establishing a relationship with the former star wideout is a priority for the organization. Johnson, however, said he's yet to hear from Wood.

"I ain't talked to Rod. I don't even want to talk about that," he said at his annual camp for local high school kids. "I don't have no reason to talk about that. I don't even talk about the Lions. I mean, I talk to my Lions that came out here to help me out today. Had the rookies, (Lions receiver Marvin Jones) came out, they did a great job with the kids. I appreciate them so much for that. Just hope to keep those kind of relationships rolling for in the future because these kids, man, they take so much from that."

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