Calvin Ridley impressed in his Jaguars debut. In his first game since the Falcons traded him, he put up eight catches for 101 yards and a score, 92 of which came in the first half.
It’s a hell of a performance for a guy who hasn’t played in nearly two years. Ridley stepped away from the Falcons in October 2021 for mental health reasons and then served a suspension for the entire 2022 campaign for gambling on NFL games.
Eventually, the Jaguars traded for him; however, the details of that trade were never made clear. We do know that Atlanta acquired a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick from Jacksonville.
The complex nature of this trade revolves around that conditional pick. That 2024 selection could become a third-round pick if Ridley reaches certain thresholds and incentives or a second-round pick if the Jaguars sign him to an extension.
We now know more details, thanks to Adam Schefter. The first condition of the trade was met last week when Ridley appeared on the Jags’ roster for Week 1. Once that happened, the Falcons officially received the 2024 fourth-round pick.
According to Schefter, that becomes a third-rounder if Calvin Ridley plays at least 60% of the Jaguars’ offensive snaps or records either 75 receptions or 1,000 receiving yards. Barring health, those are very attainable numbers.
Falcons fans should be rooting for Ridley. Not only is it the decent thing to do for a fan favorite who has been through so much, but the club also receives that second-round pick if he re-signs with the Jaguars. According to Schefter, he isn’t expected to sign an extension at any point this season but will wait until after the season to begin negotiations.
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Photographer: David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire
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