NFL World Reacts To Calvin Ridley Trade Speculation
Trade speculation has been swirling around Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley following the end of the 2021 regular season. The former first round pick has been away from the team since October due to mental health reasons and many seem to think that a fresh start could be beneficial for both sides.
A number of teams will surely be interested in the 2020 second-team All-Pro, but NFL insider Benjamin Allbright thinks that one franchise in particular will make a play for Ridley: the New England Patriots.
“Would not be surprised at all to see WR Calvin Ridley dealt to the New England Patriots this off season,” Allbright tweeted on Wednesday.
Ridley would be a massive addition for Bill Belichick in 2022. He has an Alabama connection with quarterback Mac Jones and could give the Patriots a clear No. 1 wide receiver for years to come.
After Allbright shared his prediction on Wednesday, the NFL world gave their thoughts. Fans and media members alike were largely in favor of seeing Ridley on the Patriots next season.
It was between Ridley and Wynn for the #Patriots in the 2018 draft… https://t.co/GkKQPCWaPw
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) January 19, 2022
Oh I love this! https://t.co/PLEGGJKIig
— James Stewart (@IAmJamesStewart) January 19, 2022
Twitter is doing that whole "if you can dream it" thing so I'm just going to go ahead and dream and wish for this right now. https://t.co/2Lv5j8DhzE
— Chris Brockman (@chrisbrockman) January 19, 2022
The move makes too much sense not to happen. He would be perfect for Mac Jones and the fact he went to Alabama, makes the move even more inevitable https://t.co/vGcMJnc9e1
— G.T Bobby Thompson (@BThomps81) January 19, 2022
Mac Jones and Calvin Ridley did cross paths at Alabama, Jones was an early enrollee in 2017 when Ridley was helping lead the Tide to a Natty
Obviously plenty of New England-Alabama links in general as well https://t.co/KFGZvsQLw2
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) January 19, 2022
During the 2020 season, Ridley was one of the top wide receivers in the league. On his way to making his first All-Pro team, he made 90 receptions for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns.
Unfortunately, things took a bit of a turn for Ridley in 2021. He played in just five games for the Falcons before he revealed that he was stepping away from professional football to work on his mental health.
“These past few weeks have been very challenging and as much as I’d like to be on the field competing with my teammates, I need to step away from football at this time and focus on my mental wellbeing,” Ridley wrote in a statement in October. “This will help me be the best version of myself now and in the future.
“I want to thank my teammates, the entire Atlanta Falcons organization, our great fans, my friends, and my family for all of their support during this time.”
At just 27 years old, Ridley still has plenty to offer to any team in need of a game-changing wide receiver. Time will tell if the Patriots try to strike a deal with the Falcons for him later this offseason.
The post NFL World Reacts To Calvin Ridley Trade Speculation appeared first on The Spun.
