New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley has admitted that he is eager to test the free-agent market when his contract ends next month.
The 26-year-old was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 2011 Draft and was a regular in the offense for Bill Belichick's men before sustaining a torn ACL in week six of the 2014 campaign.
Ridley underwent surgery and is currently undergoing rehabilitation to get back to full fitness, but has conceded that he has something to prove to NFL teams that may be interested in his signature.
He told Sirius XM NFL Radio: "I'm excited about it. As a player coming into the league, you get there and your first contract you kind of have to establish yourself and see what you can do. Everybody is a good player if you get to make it to the NFL, but there is something to be said if you get to that second contract.
"Where I'll be playing, and who I'll be playing for, is still unknown, but I know I've come in and done my job up to this point and now I have to put it in my agent's hands to get me on another team, or stay where I'm at, and make sure I'm in pads playing ball somewhere next year.
"For me to have this injury going into my contract year, I really think that is going to make me that much more hungry going into this next season. I have something to prove. I have something to play for."
Ridley has recorded 2,817 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in his four-year NFL career.
Simon Sinclair
