Patriots lose out on Calvin Ridley sweepstakes to ‘darkhorse’ team

The top wide receiver in NFL Free Agency is off the board. After two days of speculation, Calvin Ridley has a new team - but it's not one of the teams most-commonly linked to him.

As first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Ridley is going to the Tennessee Titans. The 29-year-old is getting a four-year, $92 million contract with $50 million guaranteed.

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Over the course of the last two days most of the reports regarding Ridley related to one of two teams. The Patriots reportedly made a strong push to sign him, with a return to the Jacksonville Jaguars also viewed as a likely outcome. There was one report Tuesday morning from Jonathan Jones of CBS that there was an unnamed 'darkhorse' team involved as well.

It does look like the offers were close all the way around. Ridley ended up with a $23 million AAV from Tennessee. According to SI's Albert Breer, the Patriots' offer was $22 million per year, while the Jaguars came in at $20 million AAV.

For the wide receiver-needy Patriots, the next focus isn't clear. The top wide receiver in free agency is now Marquise Brown, who caught 51 passes for 574 yards in 14 games last year. Mike Williams was cut by the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday but is coming off of a torn ACL and has a lengthy injury history. After those two the market drops off significantly, with no true 'WR1' options.

The Patriots could turn their attention to the trade market. At the beginning of the week ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins has requested a trade after being franchise tagged. Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers is also rumored to be available, but both players are expected to cost premium draft capital.

Then there's the draft, which includes what is expected to be a very strong class for wide receivers. If the Patriots can get the rest of their needs (mainly tackle) taken care of elsewhere in free agency, they could load up on receivers in the draft. Josina Anderson of CBS Sports tweeted after the signing that is believed to be the Patriots' plan.

For more free agency updates, check out our Free Agency Tracker below...

NFL free agency is in full swing, and the league year hasn't even begun yet. We've got you covered every step of the way here in our official live tracker.

Wednesday marks the actual start of free agency and the 2024 league year. Starting at 4 p.m. ET, teams can make their reported free agent signings officially official. The legal tampering period has already brought dozens of expected signings, and a handful of trades. Notable players still available include wide receiver Calvin Ridley, tackle Tyron Smith, and defensive lineman Arik Armstead, among others.

Read below for the latest in NFL free agency, as the league year gets set to kick off...

The tackle market may get going now that one of, if not the top player at the position is off the board. On Thursday night Jonah Williams signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a two-year, $30 million contract with $19 million guaranteed. Williams doesn't only have four years of starting experience, but has started on both sides of the line.

The Patriots continue to build from the trenches on out. On Wednesday afternoon they signed two linemen - one on offense and one on defense. Defensive lineman Armon Watts joins the Patriots from the Steelers on a one-year deal worth up to $3 million. Guard Nick Leverett comes to the Patriots from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with the details of his contract yet to be reported.

The Titans weren't done after adding Calvin Ridley. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, they're re-signing kicker Nick Folk to a one-year deal. The Contract includes $3.755 million in guaranteed money, and is worth up to $4.13 million.

After days of speculation about the Patriots and Jaguars, Calvin Ridley signed with neither. He will stay in the AFC South though as he joins the Tennessee Titans on a four-year, $92 million contract with $50 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. This is the second year in a row the Titans have signed one of the top wide receivers in free agency, after landing DeAndre Hopkins last year.

The Carolina Panthers are adding former Buffalo Bills cornerback Dane Jackson. According to Tom Pelissero, it's a two-year deal for up to $14.5 million.

The Los Angeles Chargers have to be cap compliant by 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and so they have to get rid of some high-priced players to make that happen. The first domino on that has fallen: according to Ian Rapoport, the Chargers are releasing WR Mike Williams, making him a free agent.

Bucs bring Whitehead back

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing back a familiar face. Safety Jordan Whitehead is returning to the Bucs on a two-year deal after playing the past two seasons with the Jets, as first reported by Ian Rapoport. The contract has a base value of $9 million and a max of $10.5 million.

The San Francisco 49ers are keeping the best fullback in football. Kyle Juszczyk is staying with the team, as first announced by his agency.

The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million with tight end Harrison Bryant, as reported by Adam Schefter. Bryant follows in the footsteps of Austin Hooper as a former Browns tight end heading to Vegas.

The Seattle Seahawks are keeping veteran cornerback Artie Burns on a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter. Burns provides solid depth for Seattle, who already have top-5 draft pick Devin Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen atop their cornerback depth chart.

The Philadelphia Eagles announced Wednesday that they're keeping kicker Jake Elliott in the fold on a four-year extension. Elliott has been one of the better kickers in the league in recent seasons, and he gets to stay with the Super Bowl contenders.

Another trade: as broken by Adam Schefter, the Texans are trading defensive tackle Maliek Collins to the 49ers. Houston is reshaping its defensive frrnt-seven after agreeing to terms with Danielle Hunter, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Denico Autry in free agency.

The New York Jets have found a new starting tackle. According to multiple reports, they're getting Morgan Moses from the Ravens. Morgan previously played for the Jets in 2021; now, he returns, presumably as a plug-and-play starting right tackle.

The Patriots have a sneaky need at outside corner behind Christian Gonzalez. It appears that they could make that happen with a familiar face.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, there's mutual interest between the Patriots and J.C. Jackson for a new deal, despite the cornerback's March 1 release. Fowler believes this "could be a down-the-line development" for the two sides.

So, Jackson may not be generating much interest around the league, making a return to New England an attractive option for him. That's especially considering he could still be the Pats' clear No. 2 outside corner on the current roster. Pats fans could be left waiting until the spring or summer for the team to find another starting corner.

According to Jeremy Fowler, the Buffalo Bills have agreed to terms with impending free-agent wide receiver Mack Hollins. A new weapon for Josh Allen, who is going to have to adjust to life without Gabe Davis, who signed with the Jaguars.

Niners defensive lineman Arik Armstead is still expected to be released and become a free agent. According to Dianna Russini, the Tennessee Titans, who have been busy in free agency, are expected to have interest in Armstead, among other clubs.

If you had a pipe dream of your team acquiring superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson from the Vikings, consider the dream dead. The latest from Dianna Russini is that Minnesota has no plans to trade Jefferson at this time. It sounds more likely that the Vikings reward Jefferson with an extension.

The Patriots are bringing back yet another key piece of their defensive front-seven. According to Ian Rapoport, they're re-signing linebacker Anfernee Jennings to a three-year extension. Jennings stepped up in the absence of Matthew Judon in 2023, with 14 starts.

The San Francisco are adding veteran help to their front-seven. According to Adam Schefter, they're signing former Chargers and Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks to a one-year deal.

The Miami Dolphins are re-signing running back Salvon Ahmed to a one-year deal, according to Aaron Wilson. MIke McDaniel gets to preserve his RB depth as the Dolphins' dynamic offense looks to build upon a strong 2023 season.

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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt's content.