JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 12: Calvin Ridley #0 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is introduced against the San Francisco 49ers during the game at EverBank Field on November 12, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
The Tennessee Titans just pulled off the biggest surprise of 2024 NFL free agency.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Titans have signed ex-Jacksonville Jaguars superstar wide receiver Calvin Riddley to a mammoth four-year contract worth $92 million, with $50 million of it coming in guaranteed money.
🚨 🚨 🚨
Sources: The #Titans are signing #Jaguars star WR Calvin Ridley, completing their FA with a splash. A stunner!!
The 29-year old Ridley gets a 4-year, $92M deal with $50M fully guaranteed on a contract negotiated by @DavidMulugheta and Reza Hesam of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/GcKaDQ79RL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2024
The Titans aren’t usually big-time spenders in free agent, but GM Ran Carthon and company swooped in out of nowhere and landed the best available WR on the open market. Indeed, it’s a stunner that nobody had on their bingo cards.
Ridley joins a Titans offense led by second-year QB Will Levis, All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and two-time 1,000-yard rusher Tony Pollard, whom Tennessee also landed in free agency on a $24 million pact.
From Free Agenzy Frenzy: A #Titans splash! Calvin Ridley lands in Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/cujTEPx8jF
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2024
Ridley served a season-long suspension in 2022 for violating the NFL’s policy on gambling. Ahead of the trade deadline, the Atlanta Falcons traded Ridley to the Jaguars.
The 29-year-old proved to be a nice fit in Jacksonville’s offense, hauling in 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. Had the Jaguars re-signed Ridley, they would have owed Atlanta a second-round pick as part of the trade. Instead, their 2024 third-rounder (No. 79 overall) will go to the Falcons.
For his career, the 2018 first-round pick has 324 receptions for 4,358 yards and 36 touchdowns. Ridley’s best season came in 2020, when he caught 90 passes for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns.
