In a 2024 free agency period that’s seen Pro Bowlers sign with division rivals, Calvin Ridley delivered the biggest shocker of the official start of the NFL‘s 2024 league year on Wednesday afternoon.
The Jacksonville Jaguars‘ free agent wide receiver, who redeemed himself after a lengthy league suspension with a strong 2023 campaign, has instead joined the rival Tennessee Titans for a blockbuster $92 million deal. And his move was met with widespread online reactions.
NFL World Left Stunned by Calvin Ridley Signing
NFL Network league insider Ian Rapoport not only reported the signing but became one who reacted to the move.
“A stunner!!” was among the words Rapoport posted in announcing the report on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Rapoport included how Ridley’s deal comes with $50 million fully guaranteed.
NFL Network fantasy analyst Marcas Grant found himself trying to understand the signing.
“Still processing Calvin Ridley to Tennessee. Having DeAndre Hopkins takes some of the pressure off him. Definitely helps Will Levis. A lot of money for the Titans but depending on the ADP, could be a nice value for fantasy,” Grant posted.
Elsewhere, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler views this move as a strong way for the Titans to reinvent themselves offensively as they turn to Brian Callahan as head coach.
“After visiting Jacksonville’s training camp, was obvious Calvin Ridley is a special, special talent. Some concerns about age (29) and past suspension but the Titans had to reinvent the passing game and this is a good way to do it,” Fowler said.
Others criticized the Titans for the choices that got them into this wide receiver-needy position to begin with, opting to trade away a young A.J. Brown to Philadelphia and signing a pair of veteran wideouts in Hopkins and Ridley.
The Titans traded A.J. Brown because they didn’t want to give him a 4-year, $100M contract.
And less than two years later, they give Calvin Ridley a 4-year, $92M contract.
Woof.
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_)
Ridley lost his entire 2022 season due to a suspension for gambling. But in ’23, he worked his way back to the league and posted 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns during his first full regular season.
Before free agency officially began, Ridley was ranked as the fourth-best free-agent wide receiver by PFN.
Ridley was part of a class that included Tee Higgins (who has since demanded a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals), Mike Evans (who signed a two-year deal to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and Michael Pittman Jr. (who was franchise-tagged by the Indianapolis Colts), who all ranked higher than him.
Insider Believes 2 Games Persuaded Titans To Make a Run at Ridley
Fr ESPN insider Adam Schefter, who also reported the move, delivered the theory behind why Tennessee wanted to make a dash at Ridley.
“Former Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley had 209 receiving yards and three touchdowns in two games last season against the Titans. Ridley went over 100 receiving yards in both games,” Schefter said on X.
It’s true that Ridley did some of his best work in 2023 against the Jags’ division rival.
Ridley snatched seven passes for 103 yards and scored twice on the Titans’ defense backfield on Nov. 19 — which was a 34-14 Jaguars romp. He then ended the season snatching six receptions that totaled 106 yards and scored once. But that game ended in a 28-20 Titans win in Week 18.
Tennessee was the only team Ridley surpassed 100 yards against twice. Now, many across the league are surprised but lauded the huge get Callahan and the Titans just pulled off. And with Ridley heading to Nashville, Tenn., ESPN’s Field Yates now believes this officially answers if Tennessee will still pursue a WR in April’s NFL Draft.
“Calvin Ridley is a huge get for the Titans in so many ways, including the ability to lock in on an offensive tackle at pick 7,” Yates said online. “(General manager) Ran Carthon has worked hard already to repair the offensive line and surround Will Levis with more playmakers.”
Ridley Himself Reacts to Posts About His New Deal
Some fans, though, had a hard time believing that Ridley would be worth more than $90 million. Ridley, however, blasted the criticism.
“Naw the right amount,” Ridley said in reacting to a critical post of his deal.
Lastly, Ridley couldn’t help but laugh at his agent David Mulugheta’s post after helping complete the deal.
The face you make when you hear about the bag you getting! 💰 💰 @CalvinRidley1 pic.twitter.com/7vD5fgzTTP
— David Mulugheta (@DavidMulugheta)
Ridley will now suit up for his third NFL franchise. He spent four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and only one with the Jaguars. But he’s the latest to sign with a past division foe — joining names like linebacker Patrick Queen (went from the Baltimore Ravens to Pittsburgh Steelers), safety Geno Stone (Ravens to Cincinnati Bengals), and Saquon Barkley (New York Giants to Philadelphia Eagles) in hopping to a rival this free agency period.
Chess not checkers love all Ridley
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1)
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