The Atlanta Falcons waited until the last possible day to decide whether or not to pick up the fifth-year options for Calvin Ridley and Hayden Hurst. On Monday morning, it was reported that the team had declined Hurst’s option. Then roughly an hour later, Atlanta picked up Ridley’s option.
This puts Ridley at a $11.116M salary in 2022. His option was a formality. Big-time player. RT @mikerothstein: Falcons officially announce Calvin Ridley’s option being picked up.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 3, 2021
Ridley’s 2021 option of $11.1 million is more than double what Hurst’s would have costed at $5.4 million. However, Ridley is a significantly more accomplished player and coming off of his first Pro Bowl in 2020. He caught a career-high 90 catches for 1,374 receiving yards and nine touchdowns — leading the team in all three categories.
Hurst is also coming off a career-best season, recording 56 catches, 571 yards, 6 TDs, but will be a free agent in 2022.
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