Kraft Talks Calvin Ridley Choosing Titans over Patriots, Cites Location, QB Situation

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVMarch 26, 2024

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The New England Patriots were willing to break the bank for Calvin Ridley in free agency, but owner Robert Kraft says the team never stood much of a chance—in large part due to its location.

“It was not because of finance. It was made clear that his girlfriend wanted to be in the South,” Kraft told reporters Tuesday. “We had a situation with the taxes were like almost 10 percent higher [than Tennessee], and we were willing to keep going to that premium. But he didn’t want to be in the Northeast. Part of it might be the quarterback situation as well.”

NBC Sports Boston @NBCSBostonRobert Kraft on why Calvin Ridley decided to sign with the Titans over the Patriots… pic.twitter.com/eu3IzV2pCi

The Titans signed Ridley to a four-year, $92 million contract with nearly $47 million in full guarantees. Kraft’s quote would seem to indicate the Patriots were willing to lavish Ridley with a nine-figure contract to make up the difference in state taxes between Massachusetts and Tennessee.

That said, Ridley grew up in Florida before playing college football at Alabama. He then spent the early part of his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars. At no part in his life has Ridley lived in a cold-weather climate.

The Patriots were, in all likelihood, a leverage play as the 29-year-old attempted to drive up his price. Jacksonville was aggressive trying to re-sign Ridley before the Titans came over the top with a deal to poach him from their division rival.

In the end, New England may be better off having not ponied up major money for Ridley. He turns 30 in December and doesn’t have a Pro Bowl to his name. After playing just five games combined in 2021 and 2022 due to mental health issues and a gambling suspension, Ridley returned last season and performed inconsistently. He had more than double the amount of games with 40 or fewer receiving yards (nine) than 100-yard contests (four).