March 26, 2024
Titans head coach Brian Callahan told
Kevin Clark of ESPN on Tuesday that he envisions Ridley's role as being "very similar" to the one
Ja'Marr Chase has filled for the Bengals.
ANALYSISChase is bigger, stronger and probably also faster, not to mention he has
Joe Burrow throwing him the ball rather than
Will Levis. Still, it's promising that Callahan -- the former offensive coordinator in Cincinnati -- hopes to have Ridley mimic Chase's usage, as the 2021 fifth overall pick got a lot of easy receptions the past two years, including 35 targets behind the line of scrimmage in 2023 (tied for second most among WRs). Ridley saw eight passes behind the line last season in Jacksonville and got only 22 percent of his targets between the numbers, whereas Chase drew 44 percent of his looks in the middle part of the field. The Titans do have other solid options for screens and quick passes, however, with Ridley joined by
DeAndre Hopkins and
Treylon Burks at wide receiver, tight end
Chigoziem Okonkwo and running backs
Tyjae Spears and
Tony Pollard.