Hall of Fame WR Calvin Johnson: Single-season receiving record 'bound to fall at some point'

Calvin Johnson set the NFL single-season receiving record of 1,964 yards a dozen seasons ago. The Hall of Fame wideout expects his mark to fall eventually.

Speaking to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press on Monday, Johnson said he’s bracing for the day he no longer holds the record.

“I mean, it’s bound to fall at some point the way it’s going, so it is what it is,” Johnson said. “I held it down, I don’t know even know how long, over a decade now.”

Johnson set the 1,964-yard record in 2012, catching 122 passes in 16 games. He broke Jerry Rice’s 1995 mark of 1,848 yards, which stood for 17 years.

The addition of a 17th game to the schedule puts Johnson’s record in more peril. Last season, Dolphins speedster Tyreek Hill was on pace to break the record until a late-season ankle injury derailed his effort. Hill finished with 1,799 yards. Two years ago, Justin Jefferson went for 1,809 yards. In 2021, Cooper Kupp came close, netting 1,947 yards in 17 games.

The NFL’s offensive-tilted rules also favor passing, which will provide the burgeoning young group of receivers more chances to catch Johnson. The HOFer, who retired at the age of 30 after dealing with injuries, noted that staying healthy will be key.

“They want more offense, man, so at some point (it’s going to happen),” Johnson said. “You got to be healthy. You got to play really a full 17 now. … That’s the key. You got to be healthy. If you can play 17, guys have put up numbers, you’re going to put up numbers. That 17, you get that extra game to put another 150 or 200 (yards).”

The massive contracts handed out this season underscore the thriving position. Inevitably, one of those talents will take down Johnson’s record. If the NFL adds an 18th game, the mark is almost certain to fall.