Calvin Johnson says he wanted to leave Detroit: Lions 'didn't let me'

There continues to be a rift between Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions, and the Hall of Famer disclosed another reason for his hard feelings toward the organization on Friday. 

Johnson recently told WoodwardSports.com that he wanted to finish his career with another team, but the Lions wouldn't let him leave. 

"We asked would they release me or let me go to another team," Johnson said. "They wouldn't."

When asked if he wanted to play for the Las Vegas Raiders, Johnson said he would have played anywhere. He added that he's happy Detroit let Matthew Stafford continue his career in Los Angeles. 

"You know what, it sucked that they didn't let me go, but they let Matthew go, but hey, you know, it is what it is," Johnson said.

The Lions received two first-round picks, a third-round selection and Jared Goff from the Rams in exchange for Stafford. It's unclear what they would have gotten for Johnson. 

The 35-year-old retired after the 2015 season, but maybe he would have continued to play if he could have taken the field elsewhere. 

Johnson said in recent years that his relationship with the organization remains fractured. He said if the Lions truly wants to mend the relationship, they need to pay him back. The Lions required Johnson to reimburse the team for a portion of the signing bonus money that he hadn't earned before retiring.

Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp recently admitted she hopes things can be mended between the franchise and Johnson because "it's important that he comes back into the Lions family."