Multiple reports indicate that Early Wednesday evening, former Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley agreed to a four-year, $92M deal. Ridley’s new contract includes $50 million fully guaranteed.
In a Sunday morning column, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted that they should keep an eye on the Patriots in the pursuit of Ridley.
“Expect the Patriots to swing big on receiver Calvin Ridley,” Fowler said.
New England was also connected to the 29-year-old veteran during the 2018 pre-draft process when they met with the former Alabama star before the draft. The organization ultimately drafted offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn at No. 26 overall. Ultimately, Ridley was drafted three picks later by Atlanta.
Ridley was one of the NFL’s best young receivers in 2020, posting nearly 1,400 yards and catching nine touchdown passes in the process.
A year after signing DeAndre Hopkins in the off-season, the Titans now add Ridley to their offense. Ridley, who missed the 2022 season due to a gambling suspension, was traded to the Jaguars before the 2023 season. The former Alabama product put together a 1,000-yard season with Trevor Lawerence throwing to him. The former first-round pick was drafted by the Falcons in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Patriots were rumored to be one of the teams involved in the Ridley sweepstakes over the last few days. The Patriots reportedly made a strong offer to the receiver around $22M per year.
The Patriots desperately needed a receiver in free agency and missed out on Ridley. Marquise Brown is an option to sign in free agency, with Tee Higgins and Brandon Aiyuk being trade options. Both players would be costly and require several draft picks.
Another player that could spark a conversation is 32-year old Kennan Allen. The 11-year NFL veteran is coming off his sixth Pro Bowl season, finishing with 108 catches for 1,243 yards last season. He’s recorded a 1,000 yard season in five of his last seven years.
Either way, the Patriots will need to find themselves another receiver to add to their chart that consisting of Kendrick Bourne, JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor, and T.J. Luther.
