Love Bites: Patriots' Robert Kraft Reveals What Prevented Calvin Ridley Signing

Apparently, Calvin Ridley's girlfriend played a role in him choosing the Tennesee Titans over the New England Patriots.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) receives a pass to bring in a touchdown past / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA

The New England Patriots have been relatively quiet in free agency so far, but not for a lack of trying.

Leading up to the start of free agency, and even through the first couple days of it, the Patriots were heavily linked to star receiver Calvin Ridley. After all, the Patriots were practically swimming in cap space and had a glaring need at receiver, so it seemed like a natural pairing.

Ultimately, the Patriots missed out on Ridley as he signed a four-year deal contract worth $92 million with the Tennessee Titans.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) receives a pass to bring in a touchdown past / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA

Two weeks have passed since Ridley spurned the Patriots, and team owner Robert Kraft hasn't forgotten yet. At the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Florida, Kraft revealed the reason why Ridley chose Tennessee over New England.

"It was not because of finance. It was made clear that his girlfriend wanted to be in the South," Kraft told reporters Tuesday. "We had a situation with the taxes were like almost 10 percent higher [than Tennessee], and we were willing to keep going to that premium. But he didn't want to be in the Northeast. Part of it might be the quarterback situation as well."

Robert Kraft on why Calvin Ridley decided to sign with the Titans over the Patriots... pic.twitter.com/eu3IzV2pCi

— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) March 26, 2024

So according to Kraft, it wasn't that New England got outbid for Ridley's services, which makes sense considering that prior reports stated that the Patriots were willing to spend top-dollar. Rather, it seems that personal factors were the reason for Ridley's choice.

To be fair to Ridley, going to New England would've been quite the adjustment. The 29 year old grew up in South Florida, went to college at Alabama and played in Atlanta and Jacksonville in the NFL. New England is a very different place in terms of climate and culture, so Tennessee was likely more to his comfort.

Either way, what's done is done and the Patriots now must look elsewhere to address their need at the position.