Robert Kraft says Calvin Ridley rejected the Patriots because his wife 'wanted to be in the South' before receiver signed a four-year, $92m contract with the Tennessee Titans

Patriots owner Robert Kraft shared that receiver Calvin Ridley turned down an offer to play in New England due to his wife's geographical preference.

According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, Kraft shared how Ridley's partner Dominique Fitchard 'preferred to be in the south,' hence failing to get the receiver in Foxborough.

On March 13, Ridley agreed to a four-year, $92million deal, with $50m fully guaranteed to join the Tennessee Titans after a single season with the Jaguars.

'He said the team had been willing to make up the difference in taxes between Massachusetts and Tennessee while acknowledging that the QB situation could have been a factor,' Reiss' tweet read.

Shortly after Ridley left the Jaguars, the team acquired New England's starting quarterback, Mac Jones, in a trade - leaving the Patriots with the task of finding a reliable facilitator for the upcoming season.

Robert Kraft shared that Calvin Ridley rejected an offer from the New England Patriots 

Ridley signed a $92m deal with the Tennessee Titans as his wife 'preferred to be in the south' 

The Patriots finished with a 4-13 record and missed the playoffs for the second straight year. The team also saw a massive change with the departure of head coach Bill Belichick after four seasons.

During his time in Jacksonville, Ridley tallied 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games.

Ridley helped the Jaguars towards a 9-8 finish, sitting second in the AFC South last season. The team got off to an 8-3 start but unfortunately finished on a 5-1 skid.

The Jaguars' struggles continued as, like New England, they failed to make the playoffs for the second straight season. Their last postseason appearance before 2022 was in 2017 - and 2007 before that.

Ridley made 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games with Jacksonville 

On the other hand, the Titans finished with a 6-11 record at the bottom of the AFC South. Tennessee also made their last postseason appearance in 2021.

Despite losing most of their games, Tennessee won their season finale, 28-20, against Jacksonville - a game in which Ridley made six catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Ridley is expected to start alongside DeAndre Hopkins in the wide receiver position next season. Hopkins arrived in Nashville last year for his 11th season in the NFL and tallied 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns.