3 reasons the Jaguars should give Calvin Ridley an extension, 2 why they shouldn't
• Maybe the team should consider giving him an extension
• Here 3 reason why it's a good idea and 2 why it may not be
2 reasons why the Jaguars shouldn't give Calvin Ridley a contract extension
2. There are other players in line for contract extensions
The Jaguars would love to keep Calvin Ridley beyond the 2023 season but one potential roadblock is the salary cap. If the front office could, they might've already signed all their pending free agent but they have a finite amount of money they can allocate to their payroll. This means that Jacksonville may not bring everyone back.
Besides Calvin Ridley, outside linebacker Josh Allen's contract is up in 2024. The Jags could potentially extend both but they also must take into account that Trevor Lawrence, left tackle Walker Little, cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Andre Cisco are also eligible for new deals next year.
The Jaguars could pull it off and re-sign everyone. However, there's an equal chance they won't be able to keep everybody, which means Ridley could be a victim of the numbers game.
1. The Jaguars will have to give the Falcons a 2nd-round pick
The Jaguars acquired Calvin Ridley from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional one that can be as high as a second-rounder if certain conditions are fulfilled. The conditional selection became a fourth-rounder when Ridley made the initial 53-man roster. It can become a third if he reaches certain incentives in 2023 and it will become a second-round pick if Ridley gets a contract extension.
Here are the conditions on the 2024 4th rounder that is going from Jags to Falcons, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2022
It stays as a 4 if Calvin Ridley is on the roster.
It goes to a 3 if Ridley reaches certain incentives.
And it becomes a 2 if the Jaguars sign Ridley to a contract extension. https://t.co/e6yoxa05fh
Jacksonville would gladly part ways with the second-rounder if Ridley becomes the playmaker he was in Atlanta. That said, they're going to hand out several contracts next year and their ability to replenish the roster would be hindered without the second-rounder.
Then again, draft picks are as valuable as the players they're used on. It doesn't matter if you have a top-10 pick if you squander it. The Jaguars know this first-hand, having wasted several picks in the 2010s. All things considered, they may be better off keeping Ridley, even if that means parting ways with a pick in Round 2.
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