Ridley started every game and led Jacksonville with 76 catches and eight receiving touchdowns. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he boasts a dangerous combination of size and speed for an outside receiver, something the Patriots have sorely missed in recent years.
The Patriots aggressively pursued a new No. 1 wide receiver in free agency.
He turned them away.
Ex-Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley is signing a 4-year deal worth up to $92 million, including $50 million guaranteed, according to the NFL Network. Ridley was reportedly picking between the Patriots and Jaguars, though Tennessee swooped in late to add the best wideout available in free agency. Ridley posted a 1,000-yard season last year, his first in Jacksonville after serving a season-long suspension in 2022.
The Patriots were not surprised to see Ridley land in Tennessee. They knew the Titans were in play, per a source. One team source acknowledged it’s a lot of money for the Titans to pay Ridley but “he’s a really good player who was a free agent at the right time.”
The top available pass catchers are now ex-Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams, who was released Wednesday, ex-Cardinals free-agent wide receiver Marquise Brown and Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who was franchised and is seeking a trade. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been mentioned as a trade target, but it doesn’t seem like the 49ers are in a hurry to trade him.
Just because the Patriots were in on Ridley doesn’t mean that they’ll simply turn to the next best veteran option available.
