Titans Sign Calvin Ridley To Four-Year Deal, Fans Think They Paid Too Much

In the midst of a wild week of free agency in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans still managed to make a splash, signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92 million deal. The acquisition gives young quarterback Will Levis more options down the sideline, but some have still questioned the Titans’ decision to sign the five-year veteran.

On social media, the argument against Ridley’s contract revolves around its stark juxtaposition to a similar negotiation for former Titans receiver A.J. Brown. In 2022, at age 24, Brown signed a four-year, $100 million deal with the Eagles, an offer the Titans reportedly refused to match or beat.

Brown rose to stardom on his new team and is now one of the best receivers in the league. Now, the Titans seem to be willing to agree to a very similar contract for Ridley, an older and more volatile player.

At age 29, Ridley only has five years of NFL experience because he was suspended for the 2022 season for illegal gambling violations. He also missed most of the 2021 season for personal reasons.

Based on his breakout 1,300-yard season with the Falcons in 2020, the Jaguars acquired Ridley in a trade during his suspension. In his only season in Jacksonville, he broke the 1,000-yard barrier for the second time in his career but was still underwhelming as the team’s top receiver.

Ridley has fought critics on social media, calling the deal fair for the value he brings. Titans quarterback Levis is also likely to be happy, as he praised Ridley on Robert Griffin III’s podcast before the signing.

“I got to see first-hand him torch us a couple of times,” Levis said. “It would be cool to have someone of his caliber out there playing. I’m sure he’s comfortable with [offensive coordinator Nick] Holz.”

It is unlikely that Ridley’s signing alone will solve all of the Titans’ problems, as the team must quickly transition from an offense geared around running back Derrick Henry, now on the Baltimore Ravens, to one structured around Levis. The young passer still has plenty to prove after a middling rookie season, but Ridley’s arrival could also provide more opportunities.