Calvin Ridley’s frustration with the Tennessee Titans’ offense is boiling over, and after the team’s 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, he didn’t hold back. The star wide receiver, who signed a lucrative four-year, $92 million contract with the Titans this offseason, has been a shadow of the dynamic playmaker fans expected to see. So far this season, Ridley has been largely underutilized, and the numbers tell the story: in the first four games leading into Week 6, Ridley managed just nine catches for 141 yards and a single touchdown. He had only been targeted 19 times.
In Sunday’s game against the Colts, that trend continued, despite Ridley being targeted more than in any other game this season. The wideout was thrown to eight times but finished the day with zero catches. While his targets finally increased, the connection between Ridley and quarterback Will Levis remains elusive, and Ridley’s role in the offense is becoming increasingly perplexing.
After the game, a clearly frustrated Ridley was asked about his lack of production and his targets—most of which came late in the second half. His response was candid and filled with the kind of raw emotion you’d expect from a player who believes he isn’t being properly utilized.
“I need some in the beginning of the f—ing game too. S— is getting crazy for me,” Ridley said, expressing his dissatisfaction with how the Titans are incorporating him into their game plan.
Ridley’s outburst reflects a deeper issue within the Titans’ offense, which has struggled mightily throughout the season. Tennessee now sits at 1-4, and despite Ridley being the team’s prized offseason acquisition, they’ve failed to maximize his talent. Much of the blame can be directed at the inconsistency at the quarterback position.
Will Levis, the rookie quarterback starting for the Titans, has struggled to find any rhythm, especially when it comes to connecting with his supposed No. 1 target in Ridley. As a result, Ridley has been left on the outside looking in, wondering why he’s not more involved early in games when opportunities to impact the game are more plentiful.
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The lack of chemistry between Ridley and Levis is a glaring problem, and it’s becoming harder for the coaching staff to ignore. Ridley was expected to be a game-changer for the Titans, someone who could take their offense to the next level, but through five weeks, he’s been anything but.
Instead of lighting up defenses, Ridley has found himself on the receiving end of frustration and missed opportunities. His outburst after the Colts game is likely the culmination of weeks of feeling sidelined in an offense that has sputtered all season.
It’s understandable that Ridley would be confused and upset. After signing a deal worth $92 million, Ridley was expected to be a focal point of the Titans’ offense. Yet, here they are, five games into the season, and he’s barely making an impact. For a player with Ridley’s talent and pedigree, not getting the ball in critical moments is frustrating, and it’s clear he’s losing patience.
The Titans, now facing mounting pressure, must figure out a way to get Ridley involved if they want to salvage their season. Whether that means making adjustments to their offensive scheme, finding more creative ways to get Ridley the ball, or addressing Levis’ struggles as a passer, something needs to change.
With the team sitting at 1-4, it’s becoming clear that their current approach isn’t working, and if they don’t find a way to correct it soon, Ridley’s frustrations could continue to grow.
For now, Ridley’s postgame comments serve as a stark reminder that the Titans are wasting one of their most valuable assets. If they want to turn things around, getting Ridley the ball early and often will need to be a priority. Otherwise, the frustration in Tennessee could only deepen as the losses continue to pile up.
