Julio Jones says he's 'year to year' in wake of Calvin Johnson's retirement

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is at the apex of his career, but admits Calvin Johnson's retirement made the 27-year-old superstar consider his on-field mortality.

Johnson, who starred for the Detroit Lions over an outstanding nine-year career, announced his retirement in March.

Jones doesn't fault Johnson for hanging up his cleats, but said Tuesday that he'll only retire once his game begins to falter.

"I don't fault anyone for stepping away from the game," Jones said to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I think he had bad knees or something. I'm not a doctor so I don't know everything behind why he retired. But for me, speaking for myself, if I was ever to think about retiring, its just like when my game starts declining and I feel like I can't go anymore or do the things I can usually do, that's when you hang it up."

Jones plans to play for as long as possible.

"I'm year to year," Jones said with a laugh. "I'm just going to keep going. Like I said, if I feel like I've had a decline in my game and I can't go, or if I can't overcome something … I'm very tough and I have a high tolerance for pain. If I feel like I can't go, I just can't go. If other people tell me I can't go and I know I can still go ... When I can't go, then it's time."

Jones recorded 136 receptions for 1,871 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and is showing no signs of slowing down - but almost no one expected Johnson's retirement either.