Detroit Lions: 5 reasons why Calvin Johnson trade rumors won’t amount to anything

Oct 29, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the field before the start of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

3. Would anyone give up a legit package?

Money and contract longevity are big factors in any Megatron trade, and I simply find it impossible to believe that an undefeated Patriots team that passed up on Wes Welker for far less money would make a blockbuster deal for Johnson that involves parting ways with a second-round pick. Remember, the Pats already lost their first-round pick as a result of DeflateGate, and that second-rounder could be used to shore up a hole on defense. Holes on offense? They either don’t exist in the Patriots uber-versatile offense, or Tom Brady covers them up.

Per cap expert Jason Fitzgerald, trading for Megatron doesn’t involve a commitment beyond $7.5-8 million for the remainder of the season, as most reasonable teams would decline to pay out the rest of his contract. The issue here is that this is still a large chunk of change, and the only team that would want to make a move for him would be a Super Bowl contender with a clear need for a No. 1 wideout.

Honestly, I don’t see that type of a team out there, and, if that team does exist, I don’t see them giving a high enough pick for a one-year rental. Megatron is a beast, but, realistically, trading for him is just a one-year thing, and teams generally don’t pay premium for that.

Considering the background issues involved in Detroit, it’s hard to see them pulling the trigger on a Johnson deal if they don’t get a high enough pick. While trading him away makes plenty of sense fiscally (in fact, it seems like the obvious decision), the Lions still value what he brings to this table when it comes to allowing them to compete; they might not be willing to move him if they can’t recoup a high enough pick that further helps both the team and Mayhew in the future.

Next: And Stafford?