Atlanta Falcons trade suspended receiver Calvin Ridley to Jacksonville Jaguars

Calvin Ridley was all but forgotten about this far into the 2022 season. Once viewed as a top-emerging young wideout, Ridley’s entire season was wiped out due to his own dumb mistakes. Only now, Ridley gets a new chance, in a new atmosphere, being traded from the Atlanta Falcons to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

On a day full of stunning surprises, this may be the biggest yet. Ridley’s name had not been mentioned anywhere ahead of the NFL trading deadline, but here he’s been sent to Duval in exchange for draft compensation.

Atlanta Falcons trade: Calvin Ridley
Jacksonville Jaguars trade: 2023 fifth-round pick, 2024 second-round pick

It’s a complex trade that has several conditions attached, as Adam Schefter points out.

There are conditions attached to this trade for Calvin Ridley. If he gets reinstated bye a date, it’s worth a 2023 5th, otherwise it's for a 6th. If he makes the team in 2024, it’s at least a 4th. If he hits play-time milestone, it’s a 3rd. If Jax get a long-term done, it’s a 2. https://t.co/RThnpL1ioO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2022

Calvin Ridley’s debut with Jacksonville will have to wait

NFL: International Series-Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars — Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

While Ridley’s atmosphere will be changing drastically, it won’t impact his availability for the season. The 27-year-old receiver is still suspended indefinitely for betting on pro football games he himself participated in last season. Chances are, Ridley will be reinstated and able to play by the start of the 2023 season, but that remains unclear.

When available, Ridley has shown he can be a 1A option, he did so by racking up 1,374 receiving yards in 2020 with the Falcons. Now heading to Jacksonville, that’s the exact role he’ll assume, becoming Trevor Lawrence‘s top weapon.

Calvin Ridley career stats: 248 receptions, 3,342 receiving yards, 28 TD catches in 49 games

It’s a much-needed acquisition for a franchise that has improved its pass-catching corps in the past few seasons, adding Christian Kirk and Marvin Jones, but these were never solutions to provide their young QB with a No. 1 receiver. Ridley changes that almost instantly (suspension).

Now the Jaguars don’t have to be overly consumed with identifying a game-changing receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft class, if one is available, great, if not, they already have Ridley waiting at home.

While Ridley will turn 28 before he can take the field again, he’s already the best receiver on the team. Ridley has one more year on his contract, with him set to earn $11.1 million in 2023. Chances are, with a strong first impression in Jacksonville, he’ll have no issues securing a long-term extension.