Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence offers first impressions of WR Calvin Ridley

Recently reinstated by the league following a suspension for betting on games, wideout Calvin Ridley got his first taste of NFL football in more than a year with the start of offseason workouts this week. Now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ridley's new quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, offered up his early impressions of the former first-rounder. 

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Lawrence said Ridley has arrived with the "right attitude" while lauding the former Atlanta Falcon's skills on the football field. 

"He's a freak, just the way he runs routes, how explosive he is. Great hands," Lawrence said, via Jacksonville.com's Demetrius Harvey. " Seems like he's picking things up — obviously, we just started — seems like he's picking it up pretty quickly."

Unfortunately, while talented, Ridley comes to Jacksonville with the stigma surrounding his suspension still lurking. Following the 2021 season, the NFL suspended Ridley without pay through at least the 2022 season for betting on league games, including contests featuring his team, the Falcons. The unwanted attention led Atlanta to deal Ridley to the Jaguars in November 2022 for two conditional draft choices. 

It's a brave new world regarding sports betting, and its connection to professional sports, but players participating in the action is still a major no-no. Nevertheless, according to Lawrence, it doesn't appear to be an issue with Ridley's teammates in Jacksonville. 

"It's going really well," Lawrence said. "He seems super hungry and ready to go." 

The 26th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Falcons, Ridley's last full season in the NFL came in 2020, where he recorded career highs in receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,374), adding nine touchdowns over 15 starts. 

Ridley was limited to only five games in 2021, stepping away from the team in October for mental health reasons. 

In March, Ridley took full accountability for his suspension while revealing that his issues in 2021 stemmed from an injury and an armed break-in at his home during the first week of the season.