Calvin Ridley Trade: Jaguars GM has Good News for Falcons

With the new league year a couple of weeks away, the Falcons are gearing up for free agency as the club’s brass network with other executives.

Most of the rumors and reports will surround Atlanta’s search for a new quarterback, but there are other storylines, including compensation from the Calvin Ridley trade.

The Jaguars currently owe the Falcons their third-round pick in April’s draft, but that could turn into a second-rounder if Jacksonville re-signs Atlanta’s 2018 first-round pick before the new league year. Unfortunately, about a week ago, signs seemed to point to the Falcons getting less compensation.

“Per terms of the 2022 trade with Atlanta to acquire Ridley, Jacksonville’s third-round pick due to Atlanta turns into a second-rounder if Jacksonville extends Ridley’s contract. That’s why Jacksonville would need to wait until after the new league year begins to avoid giving up a second, because at that point any deal would be a free agency signing and not an extension. But that gives Ridley time to talk with other teams during the negotiating window, unless he and Jacksonville can work out a loose agreement and wait,” Jeremy Fowler said.

However, there was a glimmer of hope provided on Tuesday. Jaguars GM Trent Baalke said that the team isn’t letting the potential trade compensation impact their approach to negotiations with Calvin Ridley.

“We’re not real concerned with that, whether it’s a second or third round,” Baalke said, via the team’s website. “We’re just going to work with the player and see if we can come to an agreement. Whether that’s before the compensation changes or not, that remains to be seen. We’re more focused on the player.”

Ridley had 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and Baalke said he had a “great talk” with him. Ideally, the Jags could just sign the All-Pro after the new league year, so they keep their second-rounder.

With that though, the former Falcons pass catcher will be able to test the market, leaving Baalke holding his pockets. It’s a gamble for the Jaguars GM.

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Photographer: David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire