Jags acquire suspended Ridley from Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have traded suspended wide receiver Calvin Ridley to the Jacksonville Jaguars, it was announced Tuesday.
In exchange, the Falcons would receive a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 conditional fourth-round selection, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The conditional pick could become a third-rounder if Ridley reaches certain incentives in 2023, or it could become a second-rounder if he’s signed to an extension.
“This is an opportunity to add a proven playmaker to our already talented wide receiver room as we continue to build our roster for 2023 and beyond,” Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement.
Ridley took to social media, tweeting “#DUUUVAL!” with a Jaguars logo.
Ridley, who turns 28 in December, was suspended for at least the 2022 season for betting on games in 2021. The earliest he can apply for reinstatement is Feb. 15, 2023, the NFL said.
“As our team continues its growth, we continue our daily focus on improving our roster and believe this move is the best decision to make at this time,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said in a statement. “We appreciate Calvin’s contributions to the organization and wish him well on his next steps.”
Ridley is the second player to be suspended for betting on NFL games since 2018, when a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court opened a path for all states to authorize sports betting. Then-Arizona Cardinals defensive back Josh Shaw was suspended in 2019 after the NFL learned he had bet on league games while on injured reserve.
