Calvin Ridley is entering his second season as the lead wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans. In his first campaign, he battled through inconsistent quarterback play but still became just the ninth player in NFL history to have a 1,000-yard season with three different NFL teams.
While that achievement was outstanding for Ridley, it did not necessarily help the Titans, as they finished 3-14. This was not only last in the AFC South, but the entire league as well.
From that bad season, however, came the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which turned into quarterback Cam Ward.
Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley (0).
Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley (0).
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The talented young quarterback from the University of Miami has impressed people thus far with his confidence and ability to handle the role of being a rookie quarterback in the NFL.
While everyone is fawning over Ward, however, he is busy giving high praise to his veteran wide receiver. He had a strong message regarding Ridley during a recent workout.
"That boy there is different," Ward said, pointing at Ridley. "I ain't never threw to no receiver like him. Who move like him, can cut like him. And that boy, he ain't selfish either. He wants the rookies, all of us, he want us to do better than him."
Ridley has clearly affected Ward early in their time together at the Titans' facilities. But Ridley is also seemingly doing his part to help out the team's young wide receivers like Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, Xavier Restrepo and Bryce Oliver.
"That's why I'm glad, Elic, Chim, Strep, Bryce, all the guys in our room. I'm glad they got him," Ward said.
From the way that Ward is talking about Ridley, it is obvious that he sees the veteran as much more than just the top wide receiver target. Ridley is taking on a leadership role in Year 2, as evidenced by what Ayomanor told ESPN's Turron Davenport earlier this offseason.
"Every day, hopefully, I can say '[Ridley] is doing this. I am right there with him doing the same thing,'" Ayomanor said.
Ayomanor also mentioned that Ridley spoke with him and provided advice during some drills. For a team trying to climb the standings, leadership is crucial. At the wide receiver position, the Titans need production in the worst way, whether it is from these young players or the veterans like Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson.
Ridley has established himself as the leader inside the Titans' wide receiver room, and people outside of it are taking notice. It will be interesting to see how his leadership impacts the wide receiver room's production and the team as a whole when the season progresses.