In terms of significant free-agent decisions, the Tennessee Titans continue to outperform the New England Patriots.
The Titans signed the talented wide receiver to a four-year, $92 million contract on Wednesday, and the Patriots were not selected in the Calvin Ridley sweepstakes. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Ridley’s offer from New England was strikingly similar to what he received from the Titans.
That ought to increase the pain of Ridley’s decision to side with the Titans over the Patriots. However, Tennessee took another action on Wednesday that the Patriots should perceive as a minor knife twist.
The Titans are re-signing veteran kicker Nick Folk to a one-year contract worth $3.755 million, with incentives to raise the salary to $4.13 million, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
It was considered a bit of an afterthought when the Patriots traded Folk to the Titans before the start of the previous season in return for a 2025 seventh-round pick. Over his three and a half seasons with the Patriots, Folk was a highly dependable player. However, at thirty-nine, the team felt it was time to hand the kicking duties off to rookie Chad Ryland, whom they selected in the fourth round.
The move in hindsight was a clear mistake as the Patriots desperately missed Folk’s greatest asset: his consistent right leg. It didn’t help that Ryland struggled mightily, making just 16-of-25 field goals. Folk converted field goals at a league-best 96.7% rate last season as he connected on 29-of-30 attempts.
Undoubtedly, Tennessee emerged victorious from the deal, and with Folk’s return, the Titans will have a reliable kicker heading into the upcoming year. There is little doubt that the Patriots are in a very different position than they were with Ryland.
Moments after Ridley was rumored to have signed, the Titans announced Folk’s return, reminding the Patriots that they still don’t make better decisions than the Titans.
