Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Calvin Ridley makes big admission during Titans introduction

It's not often that a new hire will admit on their first day that they actually wanted to remain with their previous employer.

Former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley did just that during his introductory news conference with the Tennessee Titans on Friday.

"I know that (DeAndre Hopkins is) here and I know that I wanted to play with another receiver on the other side that can help me do what I do best," Ridley said. "I knew that (the Titans) had a really good defense and they were up-and-coming and stuff, so I was looking into it. You know, I really wanted to, honestly be with the Jags, but there were a lot of things that weren't working out for me, and I think the Titans had that other side for me, so I chose the Titans. Obviously, the money was pretty good."

Tennessee has made arguably the biggest splash on the free-agency market at the receiver position, signing Ridley to a four-year, $92M deal on Wednesday.

Ridley gives second-year quarterback Will Levis a second alpha wideout to air it out to, along with five-time Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins.

D-Hop led all Titans in targets (137), receptions (75), receiving yards (1,057) and receiving touchdowns (seven) during his first season with the team in 2023-24. His receiving yardage and touchdown totals were more than double any other player's on the team, while he had 60 more targets and 21 more catches than the next-closest option.

Ridley finished his lone season with the Jaguars by leading the squad in receiving yards (1,016) and touchdowns (eight) while placing second in targets (136) and receptions (76).

The 29-year-old has experience working as a No. 2 option behind Pro Bowl talents, spending the first three seasons of his career from 2018-2020 with Julio Jones and the Atlanta Falcons. Jones, ironically, joined the Titans in 2021.

Ridley played just five games in 2021 and was later suspended for the entire 2022 campaign after it was discovered that he had bet on games.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Juan Soto's bat speed decline threatens Mets' $765 million investment
Insider suggests four-time Pro Bowl option for Steelers if Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign
Watch: Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton eliminate the Bucks in OT
Stanley Cup playoffs takeaways: Hurricanes advance, panic time for Maple Leafs
NFL team executive expands on what Browns' Shedeur Sanders did wrong before draft
Jayson Tatum's historic game helps send Celtics to Eastern Conference semis
Yankees offense goes nuclear in blowout win
Pirates ace Paul Skenes explains why he's not concerned about potential injuries
Steelers may have found another steal in UDFA pool as Pittsburgh lands an athletic freak
49ers sign star TE to four-year extension
Spurs' Stephon Castle runs away with Rookie of the Year Award
Kings to make Doug Christie new head coach in full-circle moment
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy sends strong message about whether he's ready to start in 2025
Pistons' Cade Cunningham comes alive in fourth quarter to stave off elimination vs. Knicks
Cubs defeat Pirates with an impressive night at the plate
Watch: Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho makes potential catch of the year
How Steelers reportedly expect Aaron Rodgers saga will end
Watch: Yankees open game with three straight home runs ... again
Ousmane Dembele strike lifts PSG over Arsenal in first leg of Champions League semifinal
Report: CB Jaire Alexander might stick with Packers

Want more NFL news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.