NASHVILLE – Calvin Ridley has a new team, and plenty of motivation.
Ridley, who officially signed a lucrative, multi-year contract with the Titans this morning, said he's ready to go.
"This is my first day, and I'm learning what it is to be a Titan," Ridley said at a Friday morning press conference. "But it's amazing, man. This is my third team. They gave me some years here, so I am excited to show my talent and my skills and learn the city and learn the fans. Honestly, I am overwhelmed."
A first-round pick of the Falcons in the 2018 NFL Draft who jumpstarted his career last season with the Jaguars, Ridley agreed to terms with the Titans earlier in the week after drawing interest from a number of teams.
Ridley said he's looking forward to a new start.
He knows he has something to prove.
"I do listen to some of the stuff," Ridley said, "just to give me a boost to go out there and play well."
During his five-year NFL career, Ridley (6-1, 190) has totaled 4,358 yards and 36 touchdowns on 324 receptions while playing in Atlanta (2018-22) and Jacksonville (2023).
Last year for the Jaguars, Ridley recorded 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. He registered four of his 15 career 100-yard performances in 2023.
"I'm a good player," Ridley said. "I am the type of player who deserves this contract, I am going to say that. I am the type of player you want in the building, someone who is going to work for your organization. … (The Titans) got a player who is going to come in and work for whatever ya'll gave me. Ya'll got a player."
Selected 26th overall by the Falcons in the 2018 NFL Draft, Ridley got off to a great start in his first three NFL seasons, recording 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns on 90 catches during the best season of his NFL career in 2020 after posting 60-plus catch and 800-plus receiving yards seasons in 2018 and 2019.
After a shortened 2021 season, Ridley was acquired by the Jaguars in a trade with the Falcons while he was suspended for the 2022 season for a violation of the league's gambling policy.
Then came the 2023 season, which helped change the course of his career.
Ridley wants to change the recent fate of the Titans as well.
"I want to bring this team through the roof," Ridley said, "and do everything I can to help. From now on, I'm only going up, because my work ethic is good. I am going to put the work in to be good. I am only going up from here. I am ready to take off."
