Falcons GM Terry Fontenot Not Giving Up on Calvin Ridley: Trade or Convince Him to Stay?

Locked On Falcons: Calvin Ridley and the Atlanta Falcons Need a Fresh Start? Let's Break It Down

Jeremy Brener | Jan 11, 2022

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley didn't suit up for the team after Week 7.

Ridley took a leave of absence for "personal reasons" and has yet to return to the team after over two months.

The team exercised Ridley's fifth-year option last offseason and he's expected to make over $11 million in 2022, but the Falcons might not be the team paying that salary.

The Falcons could look to send Ridley to a new destination for a fresh start and could receive some extra draft compensation to help further the team along in its rebuild.

But the team could also hold out and hope that Ridley returns.

What does GM Terry Fontenot think?

"I wouldn’t assume anything,” Fontenot said regarding the idea of moving on from Ridley. “We handle each situation individually. There are so many variables we deal with. We’re going to try to add to every position this offseason.

“Whatever player we’re talking about, whether under contract or not under contract, we have to be prepared for everything.”

There isn't a whole lot of depth at the receiver position, especially considering the fact that Russell Gage and Cordarrelle Patterson will each hit the free agent market in March. Olamide Zacchaeus is also a restricted free agent.

Sending Ridley away could turn a small hole into a gaping one, and the team will have more decisions to make by trading away their Pro Bowl talent.

On this episode of "Locked On Falcons," host Aaron Freeman discusses the recent rumors that Ridley may get a "fresh start" someplace else this offseason.

He breaks down what NFL reporter Steve Wyche told an Atlanta-based sports talk radio show earlier this week about the potential for Ridley and the Falcons to part ways this offseason.

Then, he revisits a March rant about the potential of trading Ridley and breaks down why he got that so wrong.

Then, he discusses what type of trade value Ridley could net, how it impacts Gage's future in Atlanta, and whether or not the Falcons could find an adequate replacement in the draft or free agency this offseason.

Aaron deals with all that and more on this episode of "Locked On Falcons." For more podcasts and information, join us here.

Published Jan 11, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.