The Falcons are in the midst of a December filled with big-time games that have direct implications for the playoffs, which is something fans haven’t been able to say in a few years. After taking down the Panthers and improving to 6-7, Atlanta has a massive game in San Francisco that could end up being why they get in or don’t.
The Falcons have been fortunate to be surrounded by mediocrity in the NFC, but they’re right in the thick of a five-team crapshoot for the seventh seed and final playoff spot. Still, the Falcons certainly control their own destiny as they’ve recently figured out who they want to be as a team. In the past five weeks, Atlanta has topped 100 yards rushing four times; clearly, the Falcons want it to be their identity. Arthur Smith is a former offensive lineman and coached the position for several years at Tennessee, so this isn’t a surprise.
The Falcons offensive line has undoubtedly improved since the season began, which has to do with familiarity within the system, each other, and technical improvements. But the Falcons’ lack of top-end talent on the boundary has to be considered as the Falcons commit more to the run. Russell Gage & Co. aren’t striking fear into opposing secondaries, so the logical answer would be to run the ball. The receiving corps outside of Kyle Pitts is in need of upgrading, though I do think Russell Gage is worth bringing back next season. In one year, the Falcons went from Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley to Russell Gage and Tajee Sharpe; no wonder Matt Ryan‘s play has declined.
Atlanta traded Jones before the season began, so that wasn’t unexpected; however, Ridley’s absence wasn’t planned for. The Falcons have been missing one of their best players since Week 9, when it was announced hours before the Panthers game that Ridley wouldn’t be available. Later, it was revealed that he would be taking a leave of absence to focus on his mental well-being, explaining his decision in a statement posted to social media.
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) October 31, 2021
It has been quite some time since the Falcons lost Ridley, but there haven’t been any updates. Arthur Smith has answered the media’s questions in the same manner since Week 8, most recently telling reporters there would be no update on Ridley’s status nor would he speculate on a potential return. It is commendable for a first-year coach to have his guy’s back and best interests in mind. I think most people want what is best for him; Ridley should take as long as he needs for his mental wellbeing. However, for the Falcons, the world has to keep turning, and they could be looking at a possible reality without Calvin Ridley.
Non-football injury/illness list (NFI) are designated for players who are unable to practice as a result of conditions unrelated to football. In Ridley’s specific situation, the Falcons do not have to pay Ridley his salary, but that could be a bad look for the organization in the first year of this regime. We don’t know exactly what the front office is doing with his contract, but if they decide not to pay Ridley, the Falcons should experience some cap relief. If he missed the rest of the season, Fontenot would be able to roll over around $1.25 million in cap space in 2022.
There is also a dilemma regarding his contract. Currently, Ridley is in the fourth-year of his rookie deal. With his fifth-year option being exercised, he is under team control for 2021 and 2022. However, if he doesn’t play in 2021, would there be subsequent effects to his contract? The Falcoholic did a great summary on this exact possibility.
Will Calvin Ridley’s contract toll?
First, we should explain what tolling means. In certain limited scenarios, a player’s contract can toll instead of run. For example, if Ridley’s contract tolled, it would mean the Falcons could pretend 2021 never happened, and Ridley could go into 2022 under Year 4 of his contract. That would mean the Falcons would get 2022 at his 2021 salary instead of his fifth-year option salary.
That would be good news for the Falcons, who would get another season of affordable play from Ridley, assuming he returns to football. It would be less rosy for Ridley, who would see his option salary and free agency delayed another year.
If Ridley was in the final year of his contract, the contract would toll. Instead, because the Falcons exercised the fifth-year option on Ridley’s contract, he is not in the final year of his agreement. His contract appears to have been extended as soon as the option was exercised.
If Ridley went on the N-F/I list at the start of the season, then was healthy enough to return by Game 6, the Falcons could have decided to pay Ridley’s salary but keep him on the N-F/I list to toll his contract. This was likely intended to prevent forcing a team from activating a player who missed all or most of training camp, preseason, and the start of the season.
The CBA did not anticipate a player stepping away from football in the middle of the season. The Falcons can withhold Ridley’s checks if they’d like, but his contract won’t toll. Assuming his return, Ridley will cost the Falcons about $11.1 million in 2022.
The priority obviously lies with his overall health, but there should be contingency plans. There is a possibility that he never returns before the 2022 season, and who knows, he may be finished playing football altogether.
If Ridley never returns, it’ll be a terrible day for football because the NFL is better with Calvin Ridley in it, but it’ll be even more tragic that something detrimental enough to keep someone like him away from football would occur. In that case, the Falcons would likely put a significant amount of resources into the position this offseason, whether it be in free agency or the draft.
We won’t know what the Falcons are doing behind the scenes with Ridley’s contract, so we can’t know what the future holds with his status going forward. Speculating on Ridley’s return isn’t right, but anaylizing the potential outcomes is necessary to prepare the Falcons for a better future.
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