Former Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley: 'Chess Not Checkers'
There might not be a bigger winner in all of free agency then wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
Entering likely the only free agency period in his career where he can cash in significantly, Ridley is walking out of free agency as one of the 10 highest-paid receivers in football courtesy of a four-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.
Ridley was able to use all of the leverage from the Jacksonville Jaguars' trade stipulations with the Atlanta Falcons to get a major pay day in free agency. Ridley clearly knows as much, too, based off one of his reactions to the deal.
"Chess not checkers love all Ridley," the former Jaguars receiver posted on X.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Ridley signed a four-year, $92 million deal with $50 million in guarantees. The signing makes Ridley the No. 9 wide receiver in average annual value and the No. 10 wide receiver in overall guaranteed money.
“Of course. I learned these guys, built relationships with them. I don’t really care to learn other people and plays and all the other stuff right now. God is going to find out where I belong and if the money is right, I do need some of that, we’ll figure it out," Ridley said after the 2023 season. "I’m going to hit this offseason for me personally to get better. I’m coming back and I’m happy about my play.”
"Let God be God. Never question that. Like I said, before, after, I've always just focused on football and did my part. If I can do that then everything takes care of itself. The business is the business. We'll have conversations down that road but at this very moment I'm really trying to get through this situation and grow from it.”
Ridley recorded the second 1,000-yard season in his career in 2023, catching 76 passes for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. He also made it through the entire season healthy, starting all 17 games after serving a season-long suspension in 2022 and missing most of the 2021 season.
Ultimately, the Jaguars traded a fifth-round and a third-round pick for one season of Ridley. Now, they will march forward with a wide receiver room consisting of Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, Zay Jones, Devin Duvernay, Parker Washington, Tim Jones, and Elijah Cooks.
