Not coming especially close to justifying his four-year, $92MM Titans contract, Calvin Ridley has fallen down the pecking order in Tennessee. The former first-round pick has only six receptions this season, residing as an afterthought in a Titans receiver cadre flush with younger talent.
The Titans may not be too eager to deal skill-position pieces away due to an aim at developing Cam Ward, but with Ridley nearing his 32nd birthday and not a key part of the offense, it stands to reason the rebuilding AFC South club will listen. The Brian Thomas Jr. and Josh Downs markets probably pertain to Ridley as well.
Teams are eyeing Ridley as a backup plan in case swings at higher-profile receiver trade candidates fizzle, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes. The Titans are hoping for a fifth-round pick for the ninth-year pass catcher. That might be optimistic on Tennessee’s part considering Ridley’s role, but the former Falcons draftee does have three 1,000-yard receiving seasons on his resume. Two of those came over the previous three seasons (2023, 2024).
Thomas’ market may hinge on an NFC team making a strong enough offer. The Chiefs and Steelers have been connected to pursuits, but with the Jaguars gunning for home-field advantage in the AFC, it would not make much sense for them to send a former 1,200-yard receiver to a conference threat.
The Commanders have shown interest in Thomas and Downs. If Washington can pry Thomas from Jacksonville, Kansas City and Pittsburgh may be part of a Downs bidding war. The loser may need to settle for Ridley, though other WR-needy teams are probably lurking.
Jerry Jeudy being, barring an unrealistic offer, unavailable also affects Ridley’s market. The Browns’ surprise status as an AFC contender looks likely to lead to them keeping Jeudy, even though his role reduction resembles Ridley’s. The unavailability of Jeudy and the Jags potentially hanging onto Thomas for competitive purposes figures to help the Titans on Ridley, who is tied to a $5.49MM base salary. If dealt next week, Ridley would be on another team’s roster with $2.58MM in remaining 2026 salary.
While Ridley looms as a receiver consolation prize, Tony Pollard looks to be on that level at running back. The Eagles intend to retain Saquon Barkley; ditto the Jets with Breece Hall. Derrick Henry’s name has come up, though he does not want to leave Baltimore. The Colts have set a high asking price on Jonathan Taylor, and while the Giants appear to be in the lead, some around the league wonder if Indianapolis is serious about moving on due to lofty price point. This could make Pollard an attractive commodity.
In the final season of a three-year, $21.75MM deal, Pollard is playing well and moving toward a fifth straight 1,000-yard rushing season. The former Cowboy has 595 rushing yards and six touchdowns this year. The teams that miss out on Taylor, and if none of the other above-referenced backs are moved, Pollard should be a target. The rental piece has already drawn trade calls, and teams believe (per SI.com’s Albert Breer) it will take at least a fourth-rounder to get Pollard out of Nashville.
Already moving Jeffery Simmons — a player they planned to keep — the Titans may prefer to stand down. A source informed TitanInsider.com’s Terry McCormick there is a “slim” chance the Titans deal away more talent. That may be posturing to convince teams to up their offers, with Pollard a 2027 free agent and Ridley a surefire cap-casualty candidate after the season, but we have heard the team wants to help Ward succeed. Pollard would certainly do so, though Ridley is a tertiary target at best right now.
One player not expected to move: safety Amani Hooker. The Titans are planning to keep Hooker, per Fowler. Simmons and Hooker represented the starting lineup’s last links to the Jon Robinson GM era. Hooker is in his eighth season and is on his third Titans contract. Intercepting three Joe Burrow passes in Week 8, Hooker has naturally attracted interest. His three-year, $40.5MM deal — agreed to in Mike Borgonzi’s first offseason as GM — runs through the 2028 season. At 28, Hooker could be viewed as a building block for Robert Saleh and Co.