NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 07: Calvin Ridley #0 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates a touchdown catch during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Calvin Ridley will likely become a free agent this year because of a stipulation in their trade deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has revealed that the Jaguars will owe the Falcons a second-round pick should they extend the wide receiver. The original deal required a third-round pick in exchange for Ridley; however, an extension would see it converted into a second-rounder.

 

The Jags reportedly plan on keeping both Ridley and pass rusher Josh Allen, which might see them franchise tag the latter. But keeping Ridley would be more complicated.

Of course, they could let him enter free agency in March and re-sign him, which would see them keep both Ridley and their second-round pick. But that would allow the player to speak to other teams during the negotiation window unless they could work something out beforehand.

Should they just extend him, they’d have no choice but to give up a valuable second-rounder.

---

Waiting for the new league year to begin to avoid that could work out very well in their favor. However, there is a risk of losing the wide receiver to another team in free agency.