Oakland Raiders: Carson Palmer, Marshawn Lynch, Calvin Johnson?

Calvin Johnson mentioned Derek Carr as a desirable quarterback to play with on the field. Is it unreasonable to think the Oakland Raiders pursue him?

In recent history, the Oakland Raiders have a knack for acquiring retired players. Will the front office add Calvin Johnson to the list behind Carson Palmer and Marshawn Lynch?

During a Facebook Live question-and-answer session, NBCS Bay Area reporter Scott Bair told viewers not to expect the Raiders to pursue Megatron at the 20:30-mark. Johnson also said, “it’s not happening,” when asked about his desire to play again, per Detroit Free Press reporter Dave Birkett.

However, Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown voiced a strong stance against trading Palmer in 2011:

Nearly three months later, Hue Jackson used his ties to Palmer and the Bengals organization to acquire the veteran signal-caller for a 2012 first-round selection and a 2013 second-round pick.

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Remember when Lynch looked into the cameras during a 60 Minutes Sports interview and told the world he’s done playing football?

In his first press conference with the local media, Beast Mode revealed the moment that altered his feelings about returning to the gridiron (per Raiders.com):

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"“Knowing that they was leaving and, you know, a lot of the kids here probably won’t have an opportunity to see most of their idols growing up being in their home town no more,” said Lynch. “. . . it gives them an opportunity . . . to see somebody that actually did it from where they from and for the team that they probably idolize."

General manager Reggie McKenzie‘s ties to Seattle Seahawks executive John Schneider helped facilitate Lynch’s move to Oakland.

People change their minds all the time. Johnson wouldn’t be the first to shock the NFL world with an 180-degree turn on a decisive statement. During Raiders organized team activities in May, Megatron reunited with offensive coordinator Todd Downing who spent four years with the Detroit Lions between the 2009-13 seasons as an offensive quality and quarterbacks coach.

Johnson left Oakland with a newfound respect for Carr. At an Italian Bowl press conference, he listed the Raiders signal-caller as one of three quarterbacks he’d like to connect with on the field at the 14-minute mark:

In fairness, Megatron candidly answered a question. He didn’t voluntarily discuss a return to play with Carr or Aaron Rodgers, who also made his short list. Secondly, how much pull would a first-year offensive coordinator have in convincing the front office to persuade a retired player and organization to agree to terms on a trade deal? Finally, Johnson recently expressed dissatisfaction with his former employer, per Birkett:

"“I just didn’t feel like I was treated the way I should have been treated on the way out,” Johnson said."

The 31-year old wideout ranks as the Lions’ all-time receiving leader with 731 catches, 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. Any team would like to have Megatron play for a few seasons in a push for a Super Bowl title.

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At the moment, the Raiders have a solid wide receiver corps with Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper leading the stable. Johnson would join the huddle as a luxury asset. If he’s willing to play for a contender and affordable, why not make an offer?

Remember, Jackson pulled off the trade for Palmer before the team hired McKenzie in 2012. The transaction for Lynch made sense considering his unique desire to play in his hometown and the need for a physical ball-carrier to replace Latavius Murray.

The front office inked Beast Mode to an incentive-laden deal with a modest base value, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, and swapped a fifth-round pick for a sixth-round selection. McKenzie covets his draft picks. What would it take to acquire a receiver one year removed from a 1,214-yard season with nine touchdowns? The Lions wouldn’t let Johnson go for a late-round draft pick.

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Executing a trade for Megatron isn’t as simple as hitting a few buttons on a Madden video game, however. The Raiders would have to offer a good deal to the Lions, and Johnson would need to mend fences in Detroit.

Barring an injury to Cooper or Crabtree, the Raiders have enough weapons to light up opposing defenses. Johnson would become a huge threat in the end zone, but McKenzie wouldn’t pick up the phone unless the passing attack needs a lift.

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Over the past two seasons, the Raiders have ranked within the top eight in passing touchdowns. The decision to add Megatron would certainly elevate the aerial attack to the No. 1 spot, but it’s an unnecessary cost. After extending Carr and Gabe Jackson with big-money extensions, the front office can’t afford to acquire pile-on talent at strong positions.

McKenzie will have notable in-house extensions to consider for Khalil Mack, Donald Penn, Reggie Nelson, T.J. Carrie, Sebastian Janikowski, Lee Smith and Denico Autry in 2018.