Stevan Ridley is leaving the New England Patriots for an AFC East rival.
Ridley is signing with the New York Jets, a source told NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Wednesday. Ridley reportedly took visits with the Jets, Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins.
The New England Patriots originally drafted LSU product in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft. He tore his ACL in Week 6 last season after starting the year with 94 carries for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
His best season came in 2012 when he rushed for 1,263 yards on 290 carries with 12 touchdowns. Fumbling issues limited his carries in 2013, when he was passed on the depth chart by LeGarrette Blount.
Ridley will have a chance to earn carries on a Jets depth chart that features starter Chris Ivory and third-down back Bilal Powell. Ivory ran for 821 yards on 198 carries with six touchdowns last season.
The Patriots are left with Blount, Jonas Gray, Tyler Gaffney and Brandon Bolden as early-down running backs. They also have James White, Travaris Cadet and Dion Lewis as third-down options.
Thumbnail photo via Elise Amendola/Associated Press
