After missing an entire season due to a gambling-related suspension by the NFL and being traded from the Atlanta Falcons to the Jacksonville Jaguars, star wide receiver Calvin Ridley has a chance to start fresh and reclaim his status as one of the elite receivers in the league.
However, after missing so much time and adapting to new surroundings in Jacksonville, there is some doubt about whether Ridley can return to form as an All-Pro wideout at 28 years old.
Even though there are doubts, and that was to be expected, Ridley is in an ideal situation with the Jaguars, who have a quarterback on the rise in Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence came into his own last season and was able to lead the struggling franchise to a playoff berth while also giving the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs all they could handle.
With a rising star throwing him the ball next season, Ridley is already getting incredibly high praise from his new teammate Jamal Agnew via NFL on ESPN.
Calvin Ridley is receiving some high praise from one of his new teammates 👀 pic.twitter.com/NBJB5wPqTk
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 2, 2023
After missing an entire NFL season, it’s hard to imagine that a 28-year-old wideout would be virtually unguardable when he returns to the gridiron, as that kind of dominance doesn’t happen right out of the gate.
However, Ridley may be putting on a show in front of his new teammates, which has got to put a smile on the faces of Lawrence and head coach Doug Pederson.
If he can be even half the receiver he was in 2020 with the Falcons, he will make this Jaguars offense that much more dominant in 2023, with Lawrence potentially taking it to another level.
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