Before signing a four-year deal with the Tennessee Titans this offseason, star receiver Calvin Ridley she reportedly declined a lucrative offer from the New England Patriots.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss revealed that the Patriots pursued Ridley aggressively, aiming to bolster their receiving corps, currently featuring JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton, and Jalen Reagor.
During his sole season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ridley showcased his prowess, appearing in all 17 games and amassing 76 receptions for 1,018 yards and eight touchdowns. New England viewed him as a significant upgrade for their outside positions.
Reiss highlighted, “One reason the Patriots were keen on Ridley—he amassed 768 yards on passes directed outside the numbers last season, ranking fifth in the NFL.” Furthermore, in 2023, the Patriots ranked near the bottom of the league for receiving yards on such passes, trailing only the New York Jets with 1,515 yards.
Despite New England’s interest, Ridley opted for a $92 million contract with the Titans. According to Reiss, the Titans offered the ideal combination of financial incentives and on-field opportunities, including the presence of DeAndre Hopkins as a complementary receiver to bring out Ridley’s best.
The Patriots’ failure to secure Ridley adds to their lackluster offseason. Amidst transitioning from longtime head coach Bill Belichick and moving past quarterback Mac Jones, first-year head coach Jerod Mayo faces significant challenges as the team navigates its rebuilding phase.
