Jaguars Are Set To Add A Big Weapon For The….
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Tuesday that the team was unable to land wideout Calvin Ridley in free agency this offseason because of his girlfriend.
Robert Kraft shares that Calvin Ridley told the Patriots his girlfriend preferred to be in the South. He said the team had been willing to make up the difference in taxes between Massachusetts and Tennessee, while acknowledging that the QB situation could have been a factor.
It’s been reported that the Patriots were among the finalists for the 29-year-old pass catcher’s services.
Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal wrote on Monday that New England made an “aggressive offer” to sign Ridley. He eventually inked a four-year, $92M contract with the Tennessee Titans.
The Patriots have been active this offseason in addressing their 31st-ranked offense from the 2023 campaign, adding two-time Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper, running back Antonio Gibson, wide receiver K.J. Osborn and quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Still, none of the moves have been big enough to match what a signing of Ridley would have been.
During his introduction to the Titans in mid-March, the Alabama product admitted that he was hoping to stay with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which may mean that New England wasn’t even his second choice. That would also be another sign that Ridley’s girlfriend had a say in where he played next, and her preference was to stay in the south.
The Patriots’ top wide receiver on their projected depth chart is Kendrick Bourne, who re-signed with the team on a three-year deal this offseason. The 28-year-old was on pace for a career year in 2023 prior to suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins.
Bourne finished the campaign with 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns on 55 targets in eight games.
