Doug Pederson: Calvin Ridley Has Embraced 'This Opportunity' During Jaguars Preseason

The veteran receiver has been one of the standout members of the roster after his trade from the Atlanta Falcons.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley has looked like his old self ahead of Week 1. 

After almost two years away from football, the former first-round pick and Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler has stepped into Jacksonville and elevated the offense throughout the offseason, training camp, and preseason. His impactful arrival was highlighted by a 28-yard highlight reel catch from Trevor Lawrence in the first half of Saturday's preseason finale vs. the Miami Dolphins. 

"I mean, he's embraced sort of this second chance, this opportunity. He's done an outstanding job of coming in and picking up the system, blending with the guys. And really, again, just embracing the opportunity," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after the game. 

"He understands, obviously, where he's been and what he's been through, and he just appreciates every moment that he can be out there on the grass. He did some really nice things early in the football game and it was really good to see."

Ridley has been one of the stars of training camp and the preseason, turning in big catch after big catch in his first practices with Pederson and Lawrence. So far, Ridley has looked like he is still at his peak, even after an extended absence due to stepping away to focus on his mental health and then a year-long suspension for gambling. 

"I love the relationship me and Calvin have," Lawrence said. "I think that chemistry is becoming really strong, and he's doing a great job. He's worked super hard. Those of you guys that have watched practice, the guy works really, really hard, and he deserves it. 

"So I'm happy for him, happy that things are going well, and I'm just excited, excited to have him out there, excited to have Zay [Jones], Christian [Kirk], Evan [Engram], Travis [Etienne Jr.]. You can just go on and on and one, but he's doing a great job."

Ridley, the No. 26 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, caught 217 passes for 3,061 yards and 26 touchdowns in his first three seasons. He played in five games in 2021 before stepping away from the team, catching 31 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

Ridley was suspended during the 2022 season after violating the NFL's gambling policy. At last year's trade deadline, the Jaguars dealt a 2022 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2023 draft pick for Ridley, who was reinstated during the offseason.