The Tennessee Titans shocked the NFL world by signing veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley to a whopping four-year, $92 million contract on the opening day of free agency.
Ridley, 29, has been a good receiver throughout his career. But he’s now the 10th highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL on an annual basis.
This comes after the former Alabama star put up just two 1,000-yard performances over the course of his first five seasons. He was also suspended for the entire 2022 campaign due to violating the NFL’s gambling policy.
The details of Ridley’s deal are eye-opening:
- Calvin Ridley contract: 4 years, $92 million, $50 million in total guarantees
That $50 million in guarantees has to be scary for NFL teams who must consider extending their own star wide receivers. It also has to be music to the ears of those wide receivers and their agents. It ranks in between Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders and recently-extended Indianapolis Colts star Michael Pittman Jr.
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Calvin Ridley contract to impact Brandon Aiyuk, CeeDee Lamb and others
Right now, Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins is the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL at $30 million per season. Las Vegas Raiders star Davante Adams comes second at $28 million. Here is a look at the top five.
- Tyreek Hill: $30 million
- Davante Adams: $28 million
- Cooper Kupp: $26.7 million
- A.J. Brown: $25 million
- Stefon Diggs: $24 million
The fact that Ridley got just $1 million per season less than Diggs with guarantees of $50 million is baffling. During his current four-year run with the Buffalo Bills, Diggs is averaging 111 receptions for 1,343 yards and nine touchdowns.
- Calvin Ridley career averages: 65 receptions, 872 yards, 7 TD
Notice a glaring difference here? Yeah, we thought so.
Both Aiyuk and Lamb are entering the final year of their rookie contracts with the wide receiver’s respective teams.
Aiyuk, 25, has been mentioned in trade rumors after the San Francisco 49ers’ star put up a career-best 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns a season ago. He’s three years younger than Ridley and is widely viewed as a more well-rounded receiver in NFL circles.
As for Lamb, the 24-year-old pass-catcher was absolutely dominant for the Dallas Cowboys a season ago. He hauled in 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s seen as one of the top-three receivers in the game.
If Ridley got $23 million per season with $50 million in guarantees, these two wide receivers are going to take the top off the market. Look at $30 million with $80 million in guarantees for the two. That changes the dynamics big time.
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Future NFL wide receiver market impacted by Calvin Ridley contract
Short-term, the focus is on Aiyuk and Lamb. Longer-term, there are others who are in line for huge contract extensions with their respective teams.
Primarily, we’re looking at Justin Jefferson with the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase. Jefferson is also entering the final year of his current contract. He will become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history when all is said and done.
Here is a dude who is averaging 98 receptions for 1,465 yards throughout his four-year career. It’s the best statistical start to a career for a wide receiver in NFL history. If Ridley is getting $23 million per, Jefferson has to come in at $10 million more annually. It’s a high-risk proposition for a Vikings team that just lost star quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency.
Related: Minnesota Vikings GM says that trading Justin Jefferson is not in the cards
As for Chase, his situation is a bit different. He’s eligible for an extension for the first time in his career this offseason. Cincinnati also has the ability to pick up the receiver’s option for the 2025 season. It’s not as pressing of a concern.
But as the NFL wide receiver market continues to play out, teams are going to feel the crunch. They are going to feel the pressure. The idea of Ridley receiving the contract he did with Tennessee is certainly making for some nervous general managers around the league. That’s for sure.