Stevan Ridley to Jets: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

After four years with the New England Patriots, free-agent running back Stevan Ridley has reportedly found a new home for 2015, signing a deal with the New York Jets.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport initially reported Ridley would sign with the Jets. Adam Schefter of ESPN confirmed the agreement. Rapoport provided details on the reasoning behind Ridley's decision:

The contract will be for one year, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports. 

The Jets officially announced the news on Monday. 

Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported the contract details:  

Ridley joins his former AFC East rival looking to make a splash under rookie head coach Todd Bowles. Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory both failed to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark a season ago. Perhaps Ridley will be able to provide the production the Jets need out of the backfield while they search for stability at the quarterback position.

Even though the Patriots' season ended in triumph, Ridley was an unfortunate bystander for most of the action. The 26-year-old was placed on injured reserve after Week 6 after tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee during a win at Buffalo.

Ridley's performance had declined before he got hurt. The former LSU star had a breakout season in 2012 with 1,263 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, but he lost playing time in 2013 due to fumbling issues and the emergence of LeGarrette Blount.

Evan Silva of Rotoworld highlighted the reasons Ridley can be a good investment heading into 2015:

Even though Ridley's 2014 numbers, particularly his 3.6-yards-per-carry average, didn't look good before he was injured, keep in mind a lot of that came at a time when the Patriots were shuffling the offensive line to see what would work.

If Ridley had been healthy as the line came together, who knows what his numbers would have looked like? He must prove himself next year coming off of his serious knee injury, yet he is still young enough and has shown promise at various points in his career to be a solid investment for 2015.