Calvin Ridley is expected to be traded next year to one of two places: Jacksonville or New England. According to multiple reports, the contract battle for the wide receiver has been narrowed down to the Jaguars and Patriots. According to ESPN, the Patriots are pushing to sign Ridley, but believe Ridley wants to remain in Jacksonville.
Ridley, who turns 30 at the end of 2024, is likely looking for one last big payday after being acquired from the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 in exchange for a conditional fourth- and sixth-round pick. , played for the Jaguars last season. Ridley was suspended for violating the NFL's gambling regulations. He finished the season with 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns, serving as Trevor Lawrence's No. 1 receiver for most of the year.
But he and Lawrence weren't always in sync, and the Jaguars' offense suffered as a result. Jacksonville signed former Buffalo Bills wideout Gabe Davis to a three-year, $39 million contract in free agency, but if they keep Ridley, they will add slot man Christian Kirk and tight end to the duo. Evan Engram will be added to surround Lawrence.
If he lands in New England, Ridley would likely be a top target for Jacoby Brissett or the player the team drafts with the No. 3 overall pick. The Patriots re-signed Kendrick Bourne to a three-year, $24 million contract, cut DeVante Parker's contract and allowed tight end Mike Gesicki to leave in free agency. They are at the beginning of a new era under new head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex van Pelt, and they definitely need to upgrade the weapons they have at the offensive skill positions. .
