Falcons Trade with Jaguars Delayed Calvin Ridley Signing with Titans
Former Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley is on his third team in as many seasons after signing with the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday.
Instead of announcing the move during the league's legal tampering period, Ridley "had to wait" until after the new league year began to announce his signing to the Titans, per ESPN.
And his trade with the Falcons was part of the reason why.
USA Today
Ridley, 29, caught 76 passes for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with the Jaguars. However, the Jaguars' terms of their trade with the Falcons were a result of whether the team re-signed him or not.
"Per terms of the 2022 trade with Atlanta to acquire Ridley, Jacksonville's third-round pick due to Atlanta turns into a second-rounder if Jacksonville extends Ridley's contract," ESPN writes. "That's why Jacksonville would need to wait until after the new league year begins to avoid giving up a second, because at that point any deal would be a free agency signing and not an extension. But that gives Ridley time to talk with other teams during the negotiating window, unless he and Jacksonville can work out a loose agreement and wait."
It put the Jaguars in a tricky situation with Ridley's free agency. Jacksonville gambled by waiting, hoping that it would reduce the value of the pick it would send to Atlanta, but even though they were rewarded for their patience, they lost their top receiver.
Now, the Jaguars can seek revenge when they play Ridley's Titans twice in the upcoming season.
