With Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley trending toward becoming a free agent, the 29-year-old’s future is likely to become a key storyline this offseason, and it appears that a market may be forming for him.
According to a report, Ridley would be the No. 1 wide receiver on several teams’ free-agency boards, and multiple teams would be willing to pay him “WR1 money.”
With @RapSheet reporting Jaguars placing franchise tag on LB Josh Allen — WR Calvin Ridley is trending toward reaching free agency and he would be the No.1 wide receiver on several teams’ FA board, per sources, with multiple teams expected to be willing to pay Ridley WR1 money.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 5, 2024
Although Ridley will turn 30 years old in 2024, he has only played in five NFL seasons. He missed considerable time in the 2021 season to prioritize his mental health and missed the entire 2022 campaign due to a gambling suspension.
He returned to action this past season and posted some solid numbers, accumulating 1,016 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns across 17 appearances.
With the Atlanta Falcons in the 2020 season, Ridley put his potential on full display, racking up 1,374 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns in 15 games. Any team that pays him big money this offseason would likely be looking to see more of that from him.
Ridley was a first-round pick in 2018. He is still trying to taste the postseason for the first time in his career, as he has never appeared in a playoff game. This offseason may give him a chance to join a contending team and compete for a Super Bowl.
The Jags, meanwhile, may need to make some tough decisions this offseason as they try to position themselves for the future. The franchised missed the playoffs this past season in disappointing fashion, finishing 9-8.
In the 2022 season, Jacksonville also finished 9-8, but that time, it was enough to reach the playoffs. The Jags won a playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers that season and gave the Kansas City Chiefs a solid scare before fizzling out.
The partnership between Ridley and the Jaguars may be coming to an end, though Jacksonville could try to re-sign him as a free agent. It remains to be seen if that’s in the cards. For now, the Florida native has a lot to think about as he tries to figure out what his future is going to look like.
