GM Terry Fontenot: Falcons 'continue to support' WR Calvin Ridley after suspension

Earlier this winter, both Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and team owner Arthur Blank offered public messages of support for star wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who stepped away from the team and the NFL on Halloween to focus on his mental health. It was thought earlier this offseason Ridley could receive a fresh start via a trade to a different club, but his status changed when it was announced he had been suspended for at least the entire 2022 campaign for betting on league games this past fall. 

As Kris Rhim noted for the Falcons' website, Fontenot admitted to reporters there's little he can say about Ridley's future at this stage of his ban. 

"[Calvin is] on our roster right now, and we continue to support in whatever way we can and do the best that we can and how the future looks; we don't know," Fontenot explained. "That's a long time from now. And so we'll see what happens with that. But we've been transparent really with all the information on Calvin. We've been transparent with everything with him. And we'll see where that goes."

Per a report, the Philadelphia Eagles nearly traded for Ridley before the Falcons learned of the league's investigation on Feb. 9. Fontenot confirmed that "we were talking to other teams and having some discussions" about possible deals but "got that call and had to take a step back" after the second Wednesday of February. 

Ridley cannot apply for reinstatement until Feb. 15, 2023.