With the NFL trade deadline roughly three weeks away, the Tennessee Titans are currently nursing a 1-5 record. How the Titans fare leading up to the deadline will probably dictate Mike Borgonzi's approach. Recent history tells us Borgonzi will likely look to trade short-term solutions for future draft capital.
One of the Titans' more tradeable assets is veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley. The experienced 1,000-yard wideout hasn't been consistently involved in the offense. Through six games, Ridley has produced just five catches for 81 yards and zero touchdowns.
Quarterback Cam Ward's go-to targets have been rookie Carnell Tate and slot receiver Wan'Dale Robinson. If the Titans want to trade Ridley, they're rapidly running out of time to salvage his value. If that's Borgonzi's plan, there needs to be a sense of urgency.
Any team that swings on Calvin Ridley will be betting on his upside—so he needs to flash some
It's not entirely Ridley's fault that he hasn't been more productive in Brian Daboll's offense. Heading into Week 7, the Titans have the 32nd-ranked passing offense in the NFL. They're averaging 153.5 air yards per game. Their four passing touchdowns are tied for second fewest.
Ward notably missed Ridley for a would-be touchdown in the Week 6 victory over the Colts. He locked onto Tate as a target and fired an inaccurate ball in the rookie's direction. Ridley was coming totally uncovered in the back of the end zone on a corner route.
Ridley still makes explosive plays when afforded opportunity. His 16.2 yards per reception ranks second on the offense, trailing just Elic Ayomanor's 19.0 yards per catch mark. Next Gen Stats credited Ridley with creating 3.19 average yards of separation against the Colts, which is above the league-average (2.19) for that metric.
Calvin Ridley probably won't be back with the Titans in 2027
The Titans restructured Ridley's contract in the offseason. Many expected him to be a cap casualty. Ridley agreed to a $8.75 million pay reduction in return for a $12.49 million salary guarantee, per OverTheCap.
The Titans' decision to retain Ridley via the restructure only cost them a few million, as releasing him would have triggered a dead-money clause. It also essentially guaranteed Ridley won't return to the Titans in 2027. By reworking the deal, they could save a significant $22.2 million by cutting him next offseason.
Trading Ridley is certainly something worth floating around the league for Borgonzi, but it doesn't appear—right now—like there's going to be league-wide interest in his services around the deadline. If the Titans are retaining Ridley, Daboll and Ward need to get him involved. He's still capable of generating explosives.
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