Breaking News: Jets Set to Sign Veteran WR with Record-Breaking…

admin | January 29, 2024 | NFL | No Comments

This summer, the New York Jets seem to have their sights set on their free agent target.

On “The Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata Show,” Connor Hughes of SNY made a prediction that wide receiver Calvin Ridley of the Jacksonville Jaguars would sign a contract with the New York Jets this summer.

“I will admit that I am a little bit crazy, but I believe it will be Calvin Ridley.” Hughes said on WFAN that the Jets had great expectations for him. “The Jets were smitten with Calvin Ridley after he was traded from the Falcons. They were in on him, they made calls, they loved him, and they wanted to work things out.

Based on Spotrac’s analysis of his market value, Ridley is expected to sign a four-year contract worth $68.2 million in free agency. According to Over The Cap, he would be the 14th highest-paid wide receiver in football with that $17 million yearly pay.

Gambling Suspension Put the Brakes on a Potential Jets-Falcons Trade for Ridley

Hughes clarified that prior to Ridley being “suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games,” the Jets were interested in him during the 2022 offseason.

Hughes recalled saying, “I think he’s [Ridley] available like we want him, we think he’s available.” Hughes had spoken with several Jets officials at the time. They checked every box about his past troubles and completed their background investigation. The Falcons told them he wasn’t accessible when they called them to try to get something done, which is the issue with him. They refused to deal in bad faith, which is why. In essence, you trade this guy for a second-round selection, and surprise! A year-long suspension follows. The Falcons were not interested in doing that.

In the end, Ridley missed the whole 2022 campaign; he was added back during the offseason. In exchange for a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick that ultimately turned into a third-round pick, he was dealt by the Falcons to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

At first, the Jets were intrigued in Ridley enough to trade a draft pick for him. They will have the option to sign him completely as a free agent this offseason, only forking over additional cash for a new deal.

Ridley Has Proven Production and Can Fill the Jets Void at WR

In 2020, 29-year-old Ridley was named to the All-Pro second team. He pulled in nine touchdown grabs and 90 receptions for 1,374 receiving yards. His best season to date was and still is that one.

“[Ridley] is one I could sign them [if he’s available]. They are fond of him. He seems like a wonderful match for Garrett Wilson, in my opinion. I believe he might be the receiver they’re searching for,” Hughes remarked.

In an interview with local media, Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke “appeared” to dismiss the notion that pass rusher Josh Allen might be available on the open market in March.

But when it came to Ridley, he didn’t offer the same kind of assurance.

According to Eric Edholm of the NFL Media Group, Baalke stated, “We would love to have Calvin back.” We’ll figure that out together. That simply indicates that I’m not sure at this time.

This might make it possible for the Jets to entice Ridley to the Big Apple so that he can work with Wilson and catch passes from Aaron Rodgers, the future Hall of Famer.