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Jim Caldwell believes dialogue, time will help Lions and Calvin Johnson

Posted at 3:45 PM, May 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-24 19:35:21-04

Jim Caldwell and the Lions are in the middle of OTAs this week, but Calvin Johnson's name keeps popping up.

Over the weekend, the former Lions wide receiver expressed his displeasure with the organization. He told the Free Press he didn't like how the team handled his retirement, but wouldn't get specific.

On Wednesday, Caldwell said he hopes the situation will be fixed.

“The most important thing, I think this thing will perhaps bring about more dialogue," he said.

Caldwell said he texts with Johnson often, but wouldn't put a timeline on building back the organization's relationship with its longtime star.

"How long will that take? I’m not certain. I’m not putting any parameters on it, but I think there will probably be a little discussion and I think that will be a good thing," he added.

The Lions were reportedly entitled to ask for $3.2 million of Johnson's signing bonus be returned when he retired. According to records, Johnson paid $320,000 of that back to the team when he left.

“I just didn’t feel like I was treated the way I should have been treated on the way out. That’s all. I mean, it’s all good. I’m not tripping," Johnson told Dave Birkett of the Free Press.

Caldwell remains optimistic Johnson and the Lions will hash out their problems.

“I can also tell you this, playing in the National Football League for a team is like a family. Families sometimes have disagreements, they look at things a little differently," Caldwell said.

"I have grown children; sometimes we look at things differently and hash it out, talk it out with dialogue."