Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley could have received a significant increase from his rookie salary if he could play this season.
After all, the team already picked up his fifth-year option worth $11.1 million.
That amount is bigger than the $10.9 million he earned throughout his rookie deal.
Unfortunately, Ridley won’t receive that amount after getting suspended by the NFL for the 2022 season.
His fifth-year option will then apply in 2023.
There were plenty of trade rumors surrounding the receiver, only for him to get slapped with this suspension.
ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter shared a tweet that debunks any past trade rumors for the wideout.
He painted a picture wherein the trade requests weren’t true because the Falcons already knew about Ridley’s gambling beforehand.
When he placed a legal bet through the only platform allowed in Florida, the sportsbooks notified the company that monitors their activity.
That’s how he got caught.
Multiple NFL teams reached out to the Falcons in recent weeks to inquire about trading for Calvin Ridley, and each time, Atlanta declined to enter into any talks out of good faith, knowing the issues in store for their standout wide receiver, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2022
Schefter said, “Multiple NFL teams reached out to the Falcons in recent weeks to inquire about trading for Calvin Ridley, and each time, Atlanta declined to enter into any talks out of good faith, knowing the issues in store for their standout wide receiver.”
Will Ridley Return To Peak Form In 2022?
It’s not easy leaving the game for one season, be it through injuries or trades.
He might not have the same burst of speed he once had because a year away from the game out takes a toll on his physical attributes.
Besides, there might be a handful of talented wide receivers in the 2022 draft that might perform better than him.
Therefore, he must keep in shape as the season goes by.
Otherwise, there’s no reason for clinging on to him if he doesn’t perform well.
Small bets might jeopardize his bright NFL future.
NEXT: Calvin Ridley Speaks Out About His Ban For Gambling
