Details of Calvin Ridley's Trade Terms, Future Contract Negotiations Revealed
Calvin Ridley's debut in the Jacksonville Jaguars' offense went as well as anyone could have hoped -- both in Jacksonville and in Atlanta.
Ridley caught eight passes for 101 yards and a touchdown vs. the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, establishing himself as the Jaguars' No. 1 receiver and ensuring draft compensation for the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Jaguars traded for Ridley at last year's trade deadline, sending a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2024 pick to the Falcons for the former Alabama star. One of the conditions for the 2024 pick was met when Ridley made the 53-man roster. As for the other conditions, Schefter reported the exact details and terms of the deal on Sunday.
"The first condition of the trade was met last week, when Ridley appeared on the Jaguars' roster for Week 1 and played in the regular-season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, league sources said. Once Ridley did, it meant that the Jaguars officially owed the Falcons a 2024 fourth-round pick, league sources said," Schefter reported.
"According to league sources, the fourth-round pick becomes a third-round pick if Ridley plays at least 60% of the Jaguars' offensive snaps or records either 75 receptions or 1,000 receiving yards."
Schefter also gave insight into Ridley's thinking on a long-term deal, noting that no new deal would be signed during the season. Considering the Jaguars' themselves prefer to not do in-season deals, an offseason re-signing or franchise tag makes the most sense.
"If Ridley, who is in the final year of his contract, re-signs with Jacksonville, the conditional pick to the Falcons would become a second-rounder, sources said. Ridley is not expected to sign an extension at any point this season and will wait until after the season to begin negotiations, sources said," Schefter reported.
The Jaguars and Ridley are set to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2 in Jacksonville, with another big day expected out of the Jaguars' top receiver.
"For anybody who said he had to knock the rust off was dead wrong. He looked incredible, great speed, great hands, just playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of swag," Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones said this week.
"I was very happy for him to get in the endzone, I guess rightfully so, first for us. It was awesome, I think it was very fitting. Just the way that you guys who were here in training camp, you saw the flashes of him early in training camp and I think that carried over to the first game. It kind of just jumped off of you immediately and that’s what he did in the regular season opener. I’m just very excited for him and his family, and I’m glad to be on his team and part of it with him.”
