The football world misses Calvin Ridley, no doubt. We’re all praying for him to get better, and we’re looking forward to the day when he can return to the field and light up opposing secondaries every Sunday.
When that time does come, however, it may not be with Ridley still wearing an Atlanta Falcons jersey.
According to a report from the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Flacons are still holding out hope that they will have Ridley in their lineup for the 2022 season. But the team is still assessing all possibilities, as there reportedly has not been a lot of discussions between the team and the wide receiver’s camp. The feeling among many, including Garafolo and fellow NFL Network analyst Steve Wyche, Ridley and the team could seek a “fresh start.”
Garafolo went so far as to conclude his report by stating that his prediction is Ridley will be on a different team next season, adding that several teams around the league believe the 2018 first-round pick will be made available at some point this offseason.
Ridley was coming off an All Pro season in 2020, when he put up 90 catches for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. But he struggled through his first five appearances in 2021, before announcing in late October that he would be stepping away from the game to focus on his own mental health.
The former Alabama Crimson Tide star was the Falcons’ 26th overall pick in 2018. He’s racked up 3,342 yards and 28 touchdowns in 49 game appearances through his first four season in the NFL.
