Jaguars' Ridley feeling no pressure ahead of season: 'Football is what I do'

Calvin Ridley is one of many Jacksonville Jaguars players who head into the 2023 season surrounded by high expectations, but the former All-Pro wide receiver isn't feeling any pressure.

"There's no pressure," Ridley said Thursday. "As soon as I was a high school player, everyone at my high school loved me, too. They were screaming my name the same way. As soon as I went to Alabama, there were people at the game waiting for me outside. There's no pressure. Football is what I do."

He added: "I'm just here to help this team win games."

Ridley joined the Jaguars as part of a trade from the Atlanta Falcons last year. As a member of the Falcons, the Alabama product racked up 3,342 yards and 28 touchdowns on 248 receptions in 49 appearances. The 2018 first-round pick earned a second-team All-Pro berth in 2020 after breaking out with 90 catches for 1,374 yards and nine scores. However, Ridley hasn't played since October 2021, as he was serving an indefinite suspension for violating the league's gambling policies.

The 28-year-old doesn't think the time off will impact his performance, though.

"Everybody wants me to be rusty. Why?" Ridley said. "I can play football. ... I'm never going to think that I'm going to be rusty. If I drop a pass, that doesn't mean I'm rusty."

Ridley recently battled a toe injury at training camp because of his new cleats. The wideout said he feels healthy now.

"I changed cleats, and I'm better. I'm good," he added.

Ridley joins a Jaguars offense that ranked 10th in total points in 2022. Led by 2021 No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville earned its first playoff berth since 2017 last year.

The Jaguars kick off their 2023 regular season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 10.