Patriots
“The current likelihood is Ridley will be deciding between Jacksonville and New England.”
The Patriots reportedly remain in the mix for a proven No. 1 wide receiver in free agency, but New England might need to pony up plenty of cash if it wants to “swing big” and get Calvin Ridley to put pen to paper on a contract.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots are “pushing to sign” Ridley, but sources believe Ridley currently prefers to return to his previous team the Jacksonville Jaguars and has been discussing a deal with them.
Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported on Monday that the Ridley sweepstakes in free agency is “down to the Jaguars and Patriots.”
“There have been other teams involved, but the current likelihood is Ridley will be deciding between Jacksonville and New England,” Howe added. “Both teams feel they’re in it.”
With Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, and Michael Pittman no longer on the open market, Ridley has been tabbed as the top receiver in free agency this offseason.
After missing the entire 2022 season due to gambling-related violations, Ridley put together a strong bounce-back season this fall with the Jaguars. In 17 games with Jacksonville, Ridley reeled in 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns.
The former University of Alabama standout has all the tools to be a No. 1 WR in the NFL, with the 29-year-old also recording up 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns during the 2020 season in Atlanta.
The Patriots have been busy this offseason when it comes to retaining key cogs on offense like Hunter Henry and Kendrick Bourne, while also adding a third-down, pass-catching back in Antonio Gibson on Monday.
But a dynamic wideout like Ridley could drastically augment New England’s offense, especially if the Patriots pair him with a blue-chip quarterback prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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