Former Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who served a one-year suspension in 2022, had a productive 2023 season with over 1,000 receiving yards as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
This performance helped Atlanta secure a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
However, Ridley surprised everyone by signing a four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans on the opening day of NFL free agency.
The Titans’ offer included $50 million guaranteed and the opportunity for Ridley to join former Jaguars pass game coordinator, Nick Holz, who became the offensive coordinator for the Titans.
https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1768022131391021151?t=dTSCbPSUCzxYXZGAiEGmSg&s=31
This move makes the Titans a strong team in the AFC South, and they are focusing on surrounding quarterback Will Levis with a better supporting cast.
Losing Ridley means the Jaguars may keep Zay Jones as a wide receiver and they have other options to explore, such as pursuing Tee Higgins or Mike Williams or looking for a receiver prospect in the upcoming draft.
Despite the disappointment of losing Ridley to a division rival, the Jaguars must move forward and prepare accordingly.
On the other hand, the Titans now have a formidable receiver duo with Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins.
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Sources: The #Titans are signing #Jaguars star WR Calvin Ridley, completing their FA with a splash. A stunner!!
The 29-year old Ridley gets a 4-year, $92M deal with $50M fully guaranteed on a contract negotiated by @DavidMulugheta and Reza Hesam of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/GcKaDQ79RL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2024
Ridley, who started all 17 games for the Jaguars last season, had a strong performance after missing significant time in previous years due to injury, mental health issues, and a gambling suspension.
He finished the season with 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Titans have also signed veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph on a one-year deal, with the hope that he will replace the injured Ryan Tannehill.
Rudolph had a successful stint with the Steelers, going 8-4-1 in 13 starts and helping them make the playoffs last season.
To acquire Ridley, the Jaguars owe the Falcons a third-round pick in the 2022 draft. With his five NFL seasons under his belt, Ridley has accumulated 324 receptions for 4,358 yards and 36 touchdowns, averaging 13.5 yards per catch.
Ridley expressed optimism for the future, stating that he feels young and confident in his abilities. He had impressive performances against the Titans last season, catching a combined total of 13 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns in two games against them.
Joining Ridley on the Titans’ roster is wide receiver Hopkins, who signed with the team last July and finished the season with 1,057 receiving yards.
The Titans also have Treylon Burks, acquired in a trade with Philadelphia, who has shown promise despite being limited by injuries.
The Titans have made two significant signings during the offseason, including Rudolph and Ridley, under the guidance of new head coach Brian Callahan.
Although Ridley’s career has faced some challenges, including depression and a gambling suspension, he still has the potential to be a top-tier receiver.
Despite turning 30 in the upcoming season, Ridley can still make an impact for the Titans, who have struggled offensively in recent years. His addition will provide much-needed help for their offense.
Calvin Ridley signed a lucrative deal with the Tennessee Titans, leaving the Jacksonville Jaguars. This move strengthens the Titans’ offense and leaves the Jaguars with alternative options to address their wide receiver position.
Both teams will now prepare for the upcoming season.
Fans reacted as follows.
AJ Brown’s contract was 100 million over 4 years…
They traded away a substantially better receiver to save 8 million dollars over 4 years
— K.E.U. (@shai_isthe_goat) March 13, 2024
Jaguars and Patriots fans seeing the Titans signed Calvin Ridley pic.twitter.com/E63kYBr6Af
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 13, 2024
He bet on himself and it worked
— Janik Eckardt (@JanikEckardt) March 13, 2024
Massive Overpay
— Sports hub (@sports_hub_1) March 13, 2024
That money is going straight into draftkings
— Sports hub (@sports_hub_1) March 13, 2024
So the Titans trade away AJ Brown just to give that money to a worse player 🤡
— The Let It Ride Podcast (@TheLetitRidePod) March 13, 2024
29 year old 92M is an overpay
— Crumbletakes (@Crumbletakes) March 13, 2024
Patriots and Jaguars were definitely not paying that much, I don’t think they are too upset
— Database Sports Picks (@DatabasePicks) March 13, 2024
Wow. Not surprised to see him go to the Titans, but that's an INSANE amount of money 👀
— LeatherBrainz (@leatherbrainz) March 13, 2024
Another weapon for Mason Rudolph 🔥💀
— KaizerRev (@Kaizerrev) March 13, 2024
Initial thoughts are while yes this is a lot, Tennessee has the cap space and I respect the hell out of them bringing in weapons to help out Will Levis and actually give him a chance in year 2
— Football Analysis (@FBallAnalysisYT) March 13, 2024
Holy overpay Batman ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ieEkAjdJFo
— ZIM (@zimwhodey) March 13, 2024
Traded AJ Brown so they could give 92mil to a 29 year old. I just don't get this organization 😂
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) March 13, 2024
Damn… no way Patriots or any team in their right mind was paying that
— FitzyGFY 🍺 (brew checkmark) (@FitzyGFY) March 13, 2024
Love when teams do this so that 31 other teams can feel better about not doing it
— Andrew Cooper (@CoopAFiasco) March 13, 2024
But they wouldn’t give 24 year old AJ brown 4 years 100 million 😭😭😭😭😭
— Big O (Stinsons Shooting Supply) (@therealOStinson) March 13, 2024
92…
Do the Titans think Ridley is taking them to the promised land? I think they do 😂😂.
This is a wicked move with a stacked WR draft class on the way.
— James | Splash Theory (@SplashTheory) March 13, 2024
What a contract for Ridley, I would have never seen that deal coming at all.
— Mark A.Kern II (@Markkern111) March 13, 2024
