The Tennessee Titans are in a downward tailspin, and the struggling organization could trade Calvin Ridley as the team embraces another losing season. Originally entering the league with the Atlanta Falcons, the former first-round pick signed a massive four-year, $92 million deal with the Titans in the 2024 offseason.
After a solid first season with the club, where he recorded 64 receptions for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns, Ridley hasn’t done much of anything with rookie quarterback Cam Ward under center. Through three games, Ridley has recorded just 10 receptions for 141 yards on 24 targets as Tennessee’s offense has looked like one of the worst in football.
Given that Calvin Ridley is playing in his age-31 season and the Titans are likely staring down a rebuild, it makes all the sense in the world for this organization to trade him for whatever they can get. Looking around the league, the New England Patriots make the most sense as a potential destination.
Titans, Patriots Should Work Out Blockbuster Calvin Ridley Trade
The Patriots desperately wanted to sign Calvin Ridley as a free agent in 2024, so it only makes sense they trade for him now. While Jerod Mayo is gone, Eliot Wolf is still here, and the team still has a need at the position.
Stefon Diggs has played well through the first four weeks of the season, and Kayshon Boutte looks like he could be a consistent part of this passing attack for years to come. However, rookie third-round pick Kyle Williams can’t see the field, and Demario Douglas has been nothing short of a disaster. Quarterback Drake Maye and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels have led an efficient offense by keeping the offense on schedule, but they haven’t created too many explosive plays.
Ridley can help in this regard. While he may not be the same player he was back in his peak Falcon days, he still has the talent to be a 1,000-yard receiver and an ideal second or third option in this passing attack. There is no bigger competitive advantage than a franchise quarterback on a rookie contract, so New England should make the most of the next few years.
Potential Terms
While the Calvin Ridley trade makes sense on paper, the two sides must work out agreeable terms. The wide receiver currently carries a $28 million cap hit and receives $510,000 as a per-game roster bonus. Seeing as the Titans already played four games, the team could clear just under $21 million in cap by sending the wide receiver to the Patriots.
New England has plenty of cap space, but this is still a lot of money to take for an aging wide receiver. If the Titans eat some of his contract, they might be able to get a fourth- or fifth-round pick for his services. However, if they leave things as-is, they’d be lucky to get a seventh-round pick.
Main Photo: Troy Taormina – Imagn Images
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