Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Calvin Ridley has essentially been an inactive NFL player since he announced on Halloween he was stepping away to address his mental health. Following Week 18 of the season, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said Ridley's status "really hasn't changed," but team owner Arthur Blank has offered a little more information about the 27-year-old, who will be on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract when the new league year begins next month.
"We love the young man," Blank told Scott Bair of the club's website on Wednesday. "He has had a great history in Atlanta. We'd love him to stay in Atlanta. Whether or not he wants to do that -- he may decide that he wants a fresh start someplace else. We don't know that. I don't know that. I don't have information to indicate that, but we'll see how that plays out.
"We've been totally supportive in every way that we can be, both emotionally and financially in working with him as well as his agent. We'll see, but I'm mostly concerned about him as a human being."
Atlanta drafted Ridley No. 26 overall in 2018, and he's only played for the Falcons since his rookie year but has been linked with multiple other teams in trade rumors over the past couple of months. In late January, MMQB's Albert Breer poured cold water over previous rumors and explained why Ridley's contract won't roll over for one additional season despite the fact he landed on the non-football injury list last fall:
One correction I'm having edited in: Per sources, Calvin Ridley's contract won't toll as a result of his leaving the Falcons in midseason.. So if he comes back in 2022, it'll be on his fifth-year option. He remains a 2023 free agent.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 26, 2022
I interpreted the rule wrong. That's on me. https://t.co/xlW33ZQwK8
For those interested in what I messed up ... Ridley needed 6 games of service to avoid his NFI status costing him the year. He only played in 5 games. That's where my mistake was—he was actually on the roster for 7 games (and inactive for 2). Which counts.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 26, 2022
It remains unclear if Ridley is interested in playing later this year and also if he would be willing to do so with Atlanta. Blank's comments suggest the team is open to sending the talented target elsewhere if the parties agree a divorce is necessary for whatever reasons.
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