The Tennessee Titans made a free agency splash when they agreed to terms with former Jacksonville Jaguars player Calvin Ridley on a four-year, $92 million contract, including $50 million guaranteed. Ridley was thought to be deciding between the Jaguars and New England Patriots, but ultimately, he teamed up with a former rival.
Ridley was one of the most exciting free agents this offseason. Although he only played in 66 career games, he turned 29 in December. That’s because Ridley missed almost an entire season for mental health reasons and then was suspended the following year in 2022 for playing on NFL games. Still, the Jags went out and traded with the Atlanta Falcons for Ridley’s rights during his suspension, and he repaid Jacksonville by catching 76 passes for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023.
During his introductory press conference in Nashville on Friday, Ridley was asked how much football he had left in the tank. He responded by saying he felt younger than he was.
“Dude, let me tell you this,” Ridley said. “I’m 29 on paper. But I’m probably 25, in reality. To be honest with you. And it’s not because of the two years off. The two years off helped, but I’m really 25. years old in real life.
“You’ll see. I can run with the kids, I can run with the old guys. I can run all day, I can play all day. I love football, man. That’s all I got never done it, my brother. Almost. This is what I do.”
Ridley was selected by the Falcons with the 26th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He passed for a career-high 10 touchdowns during his rookie season and exploded for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020. Considered a stud route runner, Ridley is clearly seen as a pillar of what Brian Callahan wants his new offense to look like. A unit led by Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins instead of Derrick Henry.
