NFL | Calvin Ridley – Selected Titans over Jaguars due to cash, consolation.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After dealing with one another twice in the course of the common season, the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars face off for a 3rd time within the free company battle for vast receiver Kelvin Ridley.

The Titans swooped in on the final minute and signed Ridley to a four-year, $92 million contract with $50 million assured after he completed with 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns for the Jaguars final season. went

Ridley’s resolution to affix the Titans over the Jaguars was a troublesome one.

“I actually needed to be with the Jags, truthfully, however there have been plenty of issues that weren’t working for me,” Ridley stated throughout his introductory information convention. “Then clearly the cash was nice, so I went with it and sure, right here I’m.”

Ridley added that he waited till Wednesday to lastly decide, which is attention-grabbing as a result of he made one of many stipulations within the Jaguars’ commerce to amass him from the Atlanta Falcons two years in the past.

The Falcons traded Ridley to Jacksonville for a conditional decide within the sixth spherical (2023) and fourth spherical (2024). The 2023 decide grew to become a fifth-rounder when Ridley was reinstated from his indefinite suspension for playing in 2023. The 2024 decide would have grow to be a second-round decide if Jacksonville had signed Ridley to an extension earlier than Wednesday. Now all they must do is ship a 3rd spherical decide to Atlanta.

Whereas Ridley’s return to the sector was successful for Jacksonville final season, he hinted at being uncomfortable at instances.

It wasn’t simply cash that made Ridley resolve to signal with Tennessee. Ridley already had a relationship with new Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz who was Jacksonville’s passing recreation coordinator final season.

Ridley additionally emotionally related with the Titans’ entrance workplace late within the negotiation course of.

“I simply really feel like I am going to have the ability to be a giant man right here,” Ridley stated. “This crew confirmed me that they need me right here for some time they usually already advised me they’ll deal with me like a giant man.”

Signing the 29-year-old receiver to a four-year deal is a deal that can be met with skepticism. However age is only a quantity in Ridley’s thoughts.

“I am 29 on paper,” Ridley stated with a smile. “However I am actually 25 in actual life.”