Breaking: Patriots Find their No. 1 Receiver in…
The New England Patriots had money to spend this free agency, and they ended up investing most of it in their homegrown talent. They did want to make one splash outside signing, though: they went hard after wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
The New England Patriots had money to spend this free agency, and they ended up investing most of it in their homegrown talent. They did want to make one splash outside signing, though: they went hard after wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
The team ended up offering him a contract in the ballpark of around $22 million per year — a significant commitment to a player they identified as a future No. 1 wide receiver in their system. Eventually, however, he ended up joining the Tennessee Titans on a four-year, $92 million pact averaging $23 million each season.
Eight months later, the two sides are now set to cross paths again. Ridley and the Titans will host the Patriots at Nissan Stadium this Sunday, and New England knows the quality of player it will go up against.
“Ridley, there’s no question why he was one of the top free agents, and everyone wanted an opportunity to have him on their roster,” said head coach Jerod Mayo. “This is a guy who is heavily targeted. At the same time, he’s open a lot on film. Sometimes doesn’t get the ball, but he is open a lot on film, and that’s going to be a challenge.”
A first-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2018, Ridley quickly established himself as a productive player. In his first three years in the NFL, he caught 217 passes for 3,061 yards and found the end zone 26 times.
However, midway through his fourth season the league announced that he would be suspended indefinitely for violating its gambling policy. Ridley ended up missing most of the 2021 season and all of the 2022. Along the way, he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Once back on the field, he picked up right where he left off. In his lone season as a Jaguar, Ridley caught 76 passes for 1,016 and eight more TDs. His performance set him up for a serious free agency contract — one the Patriots were willing to give him.
As a Titan, Ridley continues to be a dangerous player. And while his statistical production is not on par with his last few seasons, his 22 catches and 326 yards still put him atop the table for what has been an offensively challenged Titans team so far this season.
