The Tennessee Titans are signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92 million deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The massive $23 million per year contract with $50 million guaranteed for Ridley comes out of left field as most expected the receiver’s decision to be between the Jaguars and the New England Patriots, although there were late rumors that another AFC South team had jumped into the mix.
While the Jaguars are eligible to receive a compensatory draft selection for the departure of Ridley, the team’s additions of Ronald Darby, Gabe Davis, Devin Duvernay, and Darnell Savage make it unlikely that they’ll suffer net losses.
Ridley, 29, was acquired by the Jaguars in a 2022 trade with the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round pick and what will be a 2024 third-round selection.
In January, Ridley told reporters he hoped he’d return to the Jaguars and reports this week said he still preferred to stay in Jacksonville. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence also said on multiple occasions that he was hoping the team would find a way to keep Ridley.
Ridley, who missed most of the 2021 season and all of 2022, finished his first season in Jacksonville with 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. However, he struggled at times with consistency, drops, and miscues.
Lawrence and Jaguars coaches were optimistic that more time for the receiver in the offense would allow room for growth. The team will not have that chance.
