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After trading Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts, the Atlanta Falcons will have to learn what life without him is like again. Their next quarterback could be Marcus Mariota, who was signed to a two-year contract, or another player that Atlanta can find as the offseason continues. They are exploring all possible avenues.
Unfortunately, whoever follows Ryan's lead will be without Calvin Ridley, one of the NFL's best wideouts, as the Falcons turn the franchise into a new chapter. He will be suspended this season due to gambling on football games, some of which involved his own team.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said that the team has had trade discussions about Ridley previously. He said that the team is supporting him during his suspension but did not sound sold on his future with the team.
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The Falcons were having trade discussions for Calvin Ridley before they got the Feb. 9 call he was being suspended, Terry Fontenot said. "Right now with Calvin he’s on our roster. We continue to support in whatever way we can. How the future looks, we don’t know."
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) March 23, 2022
Ridley's immense talent should make him a valuable player on the trade market. He recorded at least 800 yards and seven touchdowns in each of his first three seasons, including a 2020 season in which he recorded 1,374 receiving yards. Due to his suspension and hiatus from the team this season, his value is somewhat shaky. His play on the field speaks volumes above those incidents, though, and the Falcons should be able to trade him easily at some point.
Although the Falcons still have a very versatile skill player in Cordarrelle Patterson, whom they retained in free agency, and All-Star tight end Kyle Pitts in their offense, the team has a very long way to go.
