With the deadline to franchise tag players approaching, the Jacksonville Jaguars just announced that their tag will be used on Pro Bowl linebacker Josh Allen. Which fully grants him over $24 million dollars to play next season. While the Jaguars have their star pass rusher locked up for next season, they will have some decisions to make regarding other positions who have expiring contracts.
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley Expected to Become Free Agent
This means that Jacksonville can no longer use the tag on wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who is one week from becoming a free agent. The team can still re-sign Ridley and have expressed interest in doing so, but the high market for proven wide receivers makes it difficult to negotiate. The Jaguars have just over $20 million in cap space to improve their roster for next season according to Spotrac.
According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, Ridley is trending towards free agency and could be the number one wide receiver on multiple franchises board. He caught 76 passes for 1,016 yards and 8 touchdowns while playing in all 17 games last season.
Multiple Teams View Ridley as “Elite” Free Agent Option
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, multiple teams will have interest in Ridley if he hits the free agency market and has upside to receive a big contract.
“The Jaguars very much want to re-sign Calvin Ridley, who had a good experience in Jacksonville, but they know that will be tough if he reaches the negotiating period starting March 11th… The expectation is he will put up a rather gaudy number on a per-year average. Teams see elite ability there.”
If Ridley is allowed to talk to teams before his team and Jacksonville’s front office reach an agreement, it will be difficult to re-sign considering how the rest of the league views him. They will have until March 11th to do so, but expectations are that he signs with a new team under a hefty contract. According to Pro Football Focus, Ridley is expected to command just under $17 million on average annual value.
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