BREAKING: Calvin Ridley Spurns Patriots, Signs With Titans
FOXBORO — The New England Patriots will be continuing the search for their next top-flight pass catcher.
Receiver Calvin Ridley, per NFL Network, has signed with the Tennessee Titans on a four-year, $92 million contract, including $50 million guaranteed.
Despite much of the media overture suggesting that a return to Jacksonville Jaguars was imminent for the 29-year-old, New England remained cautiously optimistic in their ability to secure his services. The Pats offer to Ridley was reported to be “competitive” with that of his bid from the Jaguars.
The Titans, in a stunner, apparently remained a dark horse which eventually won the race.
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As a result of Ridley’s signing with the Titans, the Jaguars still owe the Falcons a 2024 third-round pick from the 2022 trade for Ridley. Had they re-signed him before the new league year opened on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, Jacksonville would have owed Atlanta a second-rounder.
Drafted by the Falcons in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, Ridley played four seasons for the club. He set the NFL record for most receiving touchdowns (six) by a rookie in his first four games — tying him with then-Pittsburgh Steelers, and current Dallas Cowboys receiver, Martavis Bryant, who accomplished the feat in 2014.
His best season came in 2020, when he set career-highs in 90 receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,374) while adding nine touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020.
After announcing midway through the 2021 season that he would be stepping away from football due to mental health reasons, it was later revealed that Ridley would be suspended indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2022 season for violating the league's gambling policy. While suspended, he was traded from the Falcons to the Jacksonville Jaguars for conditional 2023 sixth-round and 2024 fourth-round picks.
After being reinstated for the 2023 season, he performed well for the Jaguars, compiling 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns on 76 receptions while appearing in all 17 games.
The 6-1, 190-pound wideout was arguably the prize of the free-agent receiver market due to his unique blend of size, speed and sure-catch ability. Ridley is known for his quick reaction time, along with his ability to transition in and out of his breaks with ease. Ridley’s experience makes him a well-nuanced route runner with the skill set to beat his defenders against both zone and man coverages.
The Patriots will now presumably pivot to the remaining free agent market, while keeping a sharp eye on potential trades to be made in the coming days. While it may not be much consolation for a fanbase which had long-clamored for a game-breaking wideout, the 2024 NFL Draft receiver class is projected as one of the deepest and most-talented in recent history.
