STERLING HEIGHTS - Detroit Lions receiver Nate Burleson sounded optimistic Monday that he can play out the final year of his five-year, $25 million contract with the team in 2014 and eventually retire in blue and silver.

Burleson addressed his future with the Lions during an appearance at a Walmart in Sterling Heights to support the Defeat Hunger Bowl, a program that encourages food donations at Metro Detroit Walmart stores through Feb. 9.

"I'm still waiting to see what happens with my future, but as of right now I'm a Detroit Lion," the 32-year-old veteran of 11 NFL seasons said. "And it looks like I'll retire a Detroit Lion. So the plan is to retire on a high note and try to bring a championship to this city."

Burleson is slated to earn $5.5 million in 2014, but accepts the fact he'll likely have to renegotiate his contract with Lions general manager Martin Mayhew to play at least one more year in Detroit.

"I'm going to have to," said Burleson of changing contract terms. "They (the Lions front office) got to figure out what they want and if they want to bring in something they (think) need - they're gonna draft receivers, bring in receivers (via free agency), etc.

"Maybe in the next month or two I'll get a phone call, but like I said, there's more important things in my football career than money. That's the least of my worries; I think (my biggest) concern is making sure I'm in a Detroit Lion uniform."

Burleson said he isn't sure if his lack of off-season contact with Mayhew is "a good thing or a bad thing" and said he doesn't have a target date in mind to get the contract renegotiation process started - or completed.

"We're just waiting; we have a good time frame and (Mayhew and I) are going to talk," Burleson said. "It looks like everything is going to fall into place."

Retirement talk premature?

Burleson declined to speculate how many years he had left in the NFL as a player, but laughed when he was pressed on the topic of retirement.

"Whoa, I don't know man!," Burleson exclaimed. "I just like to say (the word retirement) so when I do something special you guys (the media) can give me credit."

Burleson then went a step further and suggested retirement might be at least two years away. He gave reporters a bold statistical outlook for 2014 and beyond.

"I only played half the year (in 2013) and put up 40 catches," Burleson said. "So, you figure a full season (in 2014), and Nate Burleson stays healthy, I can be productive and give you about 80 catches.

"And I'm not gonna retire from getting 80 catches a year. So, we'll see. Maybe one or two years; it really all depends on what we bring back to this city. The sooner we get a Super Bowl in Detroit, the faster I'd consider retirement."

Burleson missed seven games in 2013 after breaking his left arm in a car accident and will be 33 by the start of the 2014 season. He actually caught 39 passes last season for 461 yards and a touchdown.

Burleson caught a career-best 73 passes for 757 yards in 2011.

Burleson on Caldwell

If Burleson returns to the Lions, he looks forward to getting familiar with new head coach Jim Caldwell and staff.

Caldwell still needs to hire a receivers coach, an issue Burleson doesn't appear worried about.

"I just know him from a distance, him being a good coach," Burleson said of Caldwell. "He has a good record as a head coach; I like his demeanor; I've seen his interviews.

"I feel like he's a great fit for this team; I'm excited to see what happens next year."