Titans land WR Calvin Ridley: Why it makes sense for Tennessee!

This wasn't on my bingo card! The Titans are signing Free Agent WR Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92 million deal with $50 million fully guaranteed. Tennessee lacked talent and big play ability at wide receiver in 2023 outside of Deandre Hopkins, but they'll get plenty of that with the addition of Ridley. Let's go over the signing and what it means for the Two-Tone Blue.

Though $23 million APY is a little high for Ridley, there's no doubt that he'll have an impact on the new-look Titans offense constructed by HC Brian Callahan. The 29-year-old had 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight TDS in 2023 and had a knack for explosive plays. Ridley ranked within the Top 12 in yards before catch, as he had 822 yards traveled in the air before a catch last season. This basically means Will Levis is getting a viable deep threat who can make explosive plays down the field. The young Titans quarterback had the highest average depth of target in the NFL last season.

An extremely dynamic WR duo has now been formed in Nashville, as Deandre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley complement each other very well. Both have the ability to stretch the field and are crisp in their route running. Ridley will provide more big plays and juice, but the savvy Hopkins will flourish and still have his fair share of big plays while serving as an adequate safety blanket for Levis. The two veterans are also extremely versatile, with the ability to play in the slot and function in different formations. Brian Callahan will have a fun time using Ridley and Hopkins in a multitude of ways.

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Ridley signing with the Titans also sparks a reunion, as he will reunite with Tennessee's OC, Nick Holz. The newly hired Holz was Jacksonville's pass game coordinator in 2023 and worked closely with the new Titans wide receiver.

Though many will look at the contract and believe it wasn't worth the price tag, Calvin Ridley's ability to impact the game in the deep passing game, paired with this underappreciated versatility, will transform the Titans offense. $23 million APY is a substantial investment, but one Ran Carthon was right to pounce on!