Report: Calvin Ridley was nearly traded to 1 NFC team before suspension

Multiple reports indicated that the Atlanta Falcons had been engaged in trade talks surrounding wide receiver Calvin Ridley. A new report has shed light on which team was apparently quite close to landing him.

In an appearance on NBC Sports Philadelphia’s “Takeoff with John Clark” podcast, FOX Sports reporter Jay Glazer revealed that the Philadelphia Eagles were closing in on a deal for Ridley before the Falcons abruptly cut off the conversation.

“It was actually funny because they were one of the teams, they were close to a deal with Atlanta for Calvin Ridley and Atlanta backed out at the last second,” Glazer said, via Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “And Philly was like, ‘What’s going on?’ They couldn’t really tell them. So Philly wasn’t too happy and then after, looked at it like, ‘Alright, Atlanta, thanks.’ Atlanta did business the right way. They weren’t allowed to say anything, again, the legalities of it, couldn’t say a word. They just had to pull out.”

Ridley was suspended for gambling on NFL games, an investigation that the Falcons only became aware of during trade talks. That is why they abruptly cut off discussions.

This does suggest that the Eagles have been very active in trying to upgrade the offense, particularly at wide receiver. That makes sense considering how frustrated the team appears to be with some at that position.

Photo: Aug 29, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports