Calvin Ridley has inked a lucrative four-year deal worth $92 million — with a substantial $50 million guaranteed — with the Tennessee Titans, as confirmed by agents David Mulugheta and Reza Hesam to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday. The former Falcon and Jaguar will now join DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks as key targets for emerging quarterback Will Levis in his sophomore season.
ESPN sources confirm that Tennessee also reached a one-year agreement with former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. The deal, valued at up to $3.62 million as reported by NFL Network, adds to Tennessee’s quarterback depth. Rudolph will vie with third-year QB Malik Willis for the backup position behind Levis.
Returning from a season-long suspension in 2022 due to a violation of the NFL’s gambling policy, Ridley showcased his ability with the Jaguars in 2023. He finished the season with 76 receptions, 1,016 yards, and eight touchdowns.
Following a suspension in 2022 due to an investigation into his betting on NFL games during a brief hiatus from the Atlanta Falcons, the 29-year-old Ridley faced scrutiny. Although he acknowledged placing $1,500 in bets through a series of tweets, Ridley maintained that he did not struggle with gambling addiction.
Despite the suspension, Ridley’s talents were sought after by the Jaguars — and they finalized a trade with the Falcons on November 1, 2022. The deal involved a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional selection in 2024. Ridley, originally drafted 26th overall by the Falcons in 2018, received a guaranteed payment of $11.116 million in 2023 under the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.
While Ridley is a talented player, Tennessee’s decision to not pay star wideout A.J. Brown and instead trade him to Philadelphia becomes more puzzling by the day. Brown is an elite receiver for Philadelphia and it is difficult to justify Tennessee’s decision to give him away only to then pay Hopkins and Ridley.
