Titans’ Offensive Struggles: The Calvin Ridley Conundrum
As the Tennessee Titans prepare to face off against the New England Patriots this weekend at Nissan Stadium, head coach Jerod Mayo has pinpointed one of the team’s major offensive frustrations of the 2024 season: getting the ball to wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Despite signing Ridley to a lucrative $92 million contract in the offseason, his production has been alarmingly inconsistent, with one or zero receptions in three of the first six games.
The reasons behind Ridley’s underwhelming statistics have sparked numerous theories. Some speculate that it may stem from a lack of effort on his part, while others point to potential misuses within the offensive scheme or insufficient chemistry with the quarterbacks. Yet, Ridley’s performance in Week 8 against the Detroit Lions—where he notched a career-high 10 receptions for 143 yards—suggests that when he is given the opportunity, he can excel.
“There’s no question, as you go through the film, #0, [Calvin] Ridley, there’s no question why he was one of the top free agents, and everyone wanted an opportunity to have him on their roster,” Mayo said during a recent press conference. “This is a guy who is heavily targeted. At the same time, he’s open a lot on film; sometimes he doesn’t get the ball, but he is open a lot on film, and that’s going to be a challenge for us. We talk about marrying up the rush and the coverage, and that’s what we’re going to continue to preach.”
Ridley’s ability to get open consistently is both a strength and a source of frustration for Titans fans, coaches, and the player himself. Titans head coach Brian Callahan noted that new strategies were implemented in the game against the Lions to help Ridley exploit matchups against man coverage, allowing him to create separation. However, it appears that quarterback performance and inadequate pass protection have hampered Ridley’s opportunities to shine after he executes his routes effectively.
Going forward, it is crucial for the Titans to replicate Ridley’s recent success. The silver lining in this narrative is that Ridley’s struggles do not appear to stem from his performance; rather, they reflect systemic issues within the Titans’ offensive play. Whether next season features Will Levis, a veteran quarterback, or a promising rookie, Ridley is emerging as a valuable asset for the Titans. His slow start this season only amplifies the collective frustration surrounding his potential, underscoring the need for a more effective offensive strategy to fully leverage his skills.
