For months, Lions fans have been worried that the negotiations with the team and receiver 
Even worse, some fans thought the delay meant that Johnson didn't want to play in Detroit past 2012.
Well, rest easy Lions fans.
The team and Johnson agreed on a new eight-year contract that will pay him $132 million and make him a Lion through 2019 (Watch the press conference).
"One thing, I've heard a lot of players talk about this – whether it be Peyton (Manning) or guys that have played in the league for a long time, Hall of Fame guys – the comfort level you receive being able to be in one place for a long time is unlike any other. To have the security, not having to worry about where I'm going to be next year.
"Then two, having a good team, having a lot of guys locked up on this team that you've had success with and that you can just continue to grow with. Like I said, much thanks to my teammates, as much as I help them, they help me out. This city, the fans included – great fans here; they've always got our back. I can't say enough thanks to anybody."
The new deal makes Johnson, 26, the highest paid receiver in the history of the game and most likely makes him a Lion for life.
"For any player, being able to remain in one place for his whole career brings out a comfort level in the player that he's able to go out and do the things he does without worrying about anything," Johnson said.
"Part of this business is wanting to take care of yourself and your family, but we had a good thing going last year and we have good vibes going for us right now.
"Guys are setting (egos) aside to restructure their contracts just to make room for us to bring other guys in to help us win. It just shows what kind of attitude we have right now, that we're serious about winning."
Johnson's contract saves the Lions $9 million in cap space for the 2012 season and allows them to be players in free agency again with available cap space now in the teens.
Asked about free agency during Wednesday's press conference announcing the signing, Johnson said he'd like to see the team concentrate on the other side of the ball now and boost the defense.
"Defense wins championships," he said. "I'm a firm believer in that. If our defense is playing well, we feed off them. You need defense. You might give up a 30-point game every now and again but as long as your defense is consistent and can keep teams under 20 sometimes, that makes it a lot easier on your offense."
