After having another atrocious season, the Tennessee Titans will likely have no other choice but to release former first-round draft pick Calvin Ridley this upcoming offseason. According to the reports, Ridley is expected to be a “cap casualty,” and the Titans’ release of him would make things easier for the team in terms of cap space. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward was unable to bring the Titans to a winning record, but the future remains bright if the team makes the right moves on offense. To give Ward a clean slate for the 2026 campaign, the Titans will need to release Ridley even though he still has two years remaining on his current deal.
Despite just getting him two years ago in a “bidding war,” there hasn’t been much production from him. To no fault of his own, the Titans have failed to provide him with an adequate quarterback.
Titans Expected to Release Former First-Round Bust Calvin Ridley – 3 Suitors Emerge
Even though there were inconsistencies from the Titans quarterbacks between Will Levis and Mason Rudolph at the time, the wide receiver hauled in 64 catches for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns. However, that all came to an end once Ward took over the offense. Ridley’s numbers have been slowly dropping before sustaining a season-ending injury. Since Ward and Ridley can’t get on the same page, it’s time for the wide receiver to join a team once he becomes a free agent that has a veteran quarterback.
While Ward develops with his new receivers, Ridley can still revitalize his career, but it will need to be elsewhere. The wide receiver still has a lot in the tank, and he shouldn’t lack suitors as the 2020 All-Pro could garner interest from these teams.
Possible Next Destinations
Dallas Cowboys
While the Dallas Cowboys are prioritizing signing George Pickens to a contract extension, the team will need to address the depth of the wide receiver unit. Jalen Tolbert is slated to leave in free agency, and Jonathan Mingo hasn’t done anything to convince that he could step up. KaVontae Turpin will need some help in the WR3 spot, and the bad news is that they won’t have enough to get another superstar like Pickens and CeeDee Lamb.
However, this is where Ridley comes into the equation. He doesn’t need the most fabulous contract, but a chance on a one-year contract to prove, and Dak Prescott could use his set of hands to add some stability in the backend.
Baltimore Ravens
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive pass-attack will likely look different before the 2026 season. Veteran DeAndre Hopkins will likely continue his journeyman tour to join another possible contender to chase a ring. While that happens, the Ravens will need a low-stakes veteran wideout to help Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman again. Ridley isn’t the long-term fix for Lamar Jackson, but he provides potential to move the chains if they lose Hopkins.
Los Angeles Chargers
Given that Justin Herbert thrives throwing the football, the Chargers will need to address adding another wide receiver. Despite bringing in Keandre Lambert-Smith and Tre Harris through last year’s draft, they’re too young to be relied on. Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen are the only most reliable weapons for Herbert, but Allen is getting too old. If Allen retires, the Chargers should sign Ridley if he becomes available as a safe upgrade over Quentin Johnston.