The Atlanta Falcons have reportedly traded suspended wide receiver Calvin Ridley to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for future draft picks, sources with knowledge of the move confirmed to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport just prior to the NFL's trade deadline on Tuesday (November 1).
"Shocker: The #Falcons are trading WR Calvin Ridley to the #Jaguars, sources say, in exchange for complex draft compensation that can be worth at maximum a 2023 5th rounder and a 2024 2nd rounder. Ridley is suspended through at least the 2022 season," Rapoport tweeted.
The reported trade involves several conditions based on Ridley's suspension and potential reinstatement status, according to Rapoport.
"If he gets reinstated by a date, it’s worth a 2023 5th, otherwise it's for a 6th," Rapoport added. "If he makes the team in 2024, it’s at least a 4th. If he hits play-time milestone, it’s a 3rd. If Jax gets a long-term done, it’s a 2."
Ridley acknowledged the trade on his verified Twitter account, tweeting the Jaguars' hashtag, "DUUUVAL," in reference to the team's location in Duval County.
Ridley was suspended indefinitely for the entire 2022 NFL season for betting on games in March.
The league confirmed, "the activity took place during a five-day period in late November 2021" in which Ridley was inactive and away from the Falcons while being listed on the non-football illness list in a news release shared by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero at the time.
The NFL said an investigation into the incident uncovered no evidence that Ridley used inside information or that any game was compromised due to his actions, nor that any coach, staff member, teammate, or other players were aware of his betting activity at the time.
The Falcons said they were made aware of the allegations and ensuing investigation into Ridley's alleged activity on February 9, telling Pelissero "we have cooperated with the investigation since receiving notice and support the league's findings and actions."
Ridley, who was set to be in the final deal of his rookie contract at the time of his suspension, will be able to apply for reinstatement after February 15, 2023 and appeal the suspension within three days of it being handed down.
The former University of Alabama standout will be under contract through the 2023 season and his $11.116 million salary was taken off the Falcons' books for the 2022 season due to his suspension, Pelissero reported at the time.
Ridley tweeted, "I learn from my Ls" on Sunday (March 6), one day ahead of the league's announcement regarding his suspension.
The wide receiver later tweeted, "I bet 1500 total I don't have a gambling problem" shortly after news of his suspension on Monday.
The former Alabama standout was selected by the Falcons at No. 26 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft and was a second-team All-Pro in 2020.
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