Sports

Titans have leverage in Calvin Ridley's potential $21.8 million contract cut decision

January 22, 2026

Story byBilly HeyenThu, January 22, 2026 at 2:49 PM UTC·2 min readTitans have leverage in Calvin Ridley's potential $21.8 million contract cut decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Tennessee Titans have an impressive and young offensive group, aside from Calvin Ridley. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe's got the biggest contract in the room, and as the Titans enter the offseason looking for a new head coach and trying to put the best possible team around QB Cam Ward, it's not sure how Ridley fits in. ESPN's Bill Barnwell names Ridley as a cut candidate in a new article on Thursday, but he goes on to explain how it's more nuanced than that. MORE: Bills have no choice but to trade Keon Coleman nowBecause of what Ridley would get on the open market (or not get), Barnwell explains that Ridley may be better off looking to negotiate a new deal to stay with the Titans."Just $3 million of Ridley's $21.8 million compensation in 2026 is already guaranteed, and the coach and general manager who signed off on that deal are no longer in the building," Barnwell writes. "Ridley wouldn't get anything close to that $21.8 million figure in free agency, which creates leverage for Tennessee.

Titans have leverage in Calvin Ridley's potential $21.8 million contract cut decision

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If the front office pushes Ridley to take a pay cut, he would have to either accede to Tennessee's terms or fend for himself in free agency, where he might just get the same reduction in salary the Titans would be offering."AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementInjuries haven't helped Ridley, including a fractured fibula during the 2025 season. He averaged about two yards per route run, Barnwell writes of this past campaign, which shows he can still be useful when on the field. MORE: Could the Raiders trade the No.
1 pick and Fernando Mendoza?The Titans have young WRs like Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike who they won't want to hold back by keeping them behind a veteran. But if Ridley is more affordable, maybe he's worth keeping around to help Ward's development."Ridley has a $1 million bonus that gets paid in mid-March, which will encourage the Titans to make a decision on Ridley's future relatively quickly, but I expect them to push for a friendlier contract in 2026," Barnwell writes. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMore NFL news:Browns can draft the brother of a Cavs' NBA starThe 2027 Super Bowl is on Valentine's DayNew perspective on Tua Tagovailoa and his head injuries$36 million reason for the Dolphins to part with Tyreek HillJohn Harbaugh should already have a $100 million regretWould the Texans consider trading C. J.
Stroud?

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Titans have leverage in Calvin Ridley's potential $21.8 million contract cut decision

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

Titans have leverage in Calvin Ridley's potential $21.8 million contract cut decision

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