On the first day he was eligible to do so, Calvin Ridley applied for reinstatement to the NFL. On Monday, the league announced that the Jaguars receiver has been reinstated, meaning he is clear to participate in all offseason team activities. 
The 28-year-old was suspended for the full 2022 campaign after he was found to have bet on NFL games the previous year. That marked a controversial end to his Falcons tenure, which spanned the first four seasons of his career. The former first-rounder was set to play on his fifth-year option ($11.12MM) in 2022, but will earn that amount this coming season in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars acquired Ridley at the trade deadline despite the uncertainty surrounding his future. The Falcons will receive Jacksonville’s fifth-round pick this year since Ridley has been reinstated. Atlanta is also in line for at least the Jaguars’ fourth-rounder in 2024, though that pick could become a third- or even second-rounder, depending on if the Alabama product signs a new deal to remain in Duval County.
That remains a distinct possibility, given the potential Ridley showed in the 2020 season in particular. He posted 90 catches for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns that season, though things took a significant turn one year later. Ridley took a leave of absence from the Falcons midway through the 2021 campaign, citing mental heath reasons. That limited him to just five games played, and thus a lengthy layoff until his Jaguars debut, even if that comes in Week 1 of the 2023 season.
Presuming that takes place, though, the AFC South champions will have another notable pass-catching option available for third-year QB Trevor Lawrence. The team signed Christian Kirk to a deal which raised plenty of eyebrows at the time, though the ex-Cardinal posted 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns this year. Jacksonville will also have tight end Evan Engram in the fold for at least the 2023 season via the franchise tag. Ridley will join them as he looks to help the Jaguars build off of last season’s success, and get his career back on track.
In a statement, Ridley said, “Today’s reinstatement by the NFL brings an end to a challenging chapter of my professional career, one that was self-inflicted and began with an isolated lapse in judgement. I have always owned my mistakes and this is no different.
“I have great respect for the game and am excited for the opportunity to restart my career in Jacksonville. I look forward to showing my new coaches, teammates, and the entire Jaguars organization exactly who I am and what I represent as a player and person.”
Bring back the TE, get some ‘D pressure help, & the Jags will be ready to repeat as South Champs.
The real question mark with Ridley is the mental health leave of absence. Here’s hoping he regains his 2020 form – as that was a long time ago at this point.
I wouldn’t bet on it. Wait too soon lol
Redemption is highly motivating for some, and makes the best sports movies “once down and out until he wasn’t and he became a legend” far worse mistakes have been made by people is far higher positions, let’s see a year Ridley and in no time “An isolated lapse in judgement” crushing the box office
Ridley is in the wrong sport for movies. Baseball had the deeply moving “Field of Dreams” but football tortured audiences with the idiotic “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”.
“Betting on Myself: The Calvin Ridley story (sponsored by Draft Kings)
A full year suspension was ridiculous for Ridley. It was shown he bet less then $5,000 on the league sponsored ‘betting app’ and didn’t bet on his own team. How hypocritical of them to be sponsored by a betting app but when a player uses it they are punished by having to sit out an indefinite suspension that amounted to a full year. Yet, we have the Watson case of a man over the course of years abusing women and he gets about half a season, AND a fully guaranteed historical contract. Once again Roger ‘God’dell shows his hypocrisy.
That’s not quite how it works. Players are not allowed to sign endorsement deals with alcohol companies when every other commercial is beer and liquor. Apply that logic to sports betting. It’s just the way it is