Latest news with #Ridder
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Urged To Sign Third-Round Quarterback
It has become increasingly difficult to criticize the Kansas City Chiefs. First, the defense wasn't good enough to win a championship. Then just about every draft pick on that side of the ball contributed to a title. Next, Patrick Mahomes was tasked with winning a Super Bowl with perhaps the league's worst receiving corps. He hoisted a Lombardi Trophy anyway. Advertisement Thus, it probably isn't worth ripping Kansas City for some flaw Mahomes will end up covering. One small improvement, though, could be winning along the margins by turning cheap free agent deals into draft compensation. With Bailey Zappe's roster spot not guaranteed, there is room for head coach Andy Reid to identify a fourth quarterback to the room (as the team signed Gardner Minshew this spring). The Chiefs were urged to sign 2022 third-round quarterback Desmond Ridder as depth behind Mahomes. 'Signing Ridder is about taking a bust under the wing of Andy Reid and Mahomes,' Nick Halden wrote. 'For next to nothing, you can see if it is a possible reclamation project or if you're better off retaining Zappe. The only upside of having Ridder on the roster over Zappe is the quarterback's ability to scramble. If the Chiefs ever have a third quarterback on the active gameday roster, you could potentially use Ridder to quarterback sneak, something the Chiefs notably refuse to do with Patrick Mahomes.' Advertisement Taking on such a project makes a little more sense in a free agent class laden with toolsy passers with exciting upside. Trey Lance and Joe Milton III, for example, both found new homes in the offseason. Still, a flyer on Ridder makes some sense. Among the free agents available, he has the best case for some miraculous development. As Halden notes, there is a path to playing time given his mobility that was frequently used with the Atlanta Falcons. Further, Ridder spent last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, stepping in after Minshew went down. That familiarity might make a match a little more enticing. 'At worst, you've added a failed quarterback you can quickly pivot away from if you don't believe there is any value there,' he continued. 'At the very least, you push Zappe and give Kansas City fans an interesting wildcard to watch in camp and preseason.' Advertisement Signing Ridder shouldn't be considered likely. It wouldn't be a home run of a late-stage signing, either. But given the (lack of) cost and potential to either help Kansas City or turn into a trade chip, the acquisition should be welcomed if it comes to fruition. Related: Chiefs Rookie Expected To 'Impact Immediately' Mahomes Offense Related: Chiefs Set To Enjoy Home Comforts For Heavyweight Contests In 2025
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Broncos Bring in Ian Book Amid Desmond Ridder Backing Out of Rookie Minicamp
Ahead of the Denver Broncos' rookie minicamp, which begins on Friday, May 7th, the Broncos had a change to their quarterback room. With the ability to bring in veterans to get a workout at rookie minicamp, one of the Broncos' quarterbacks backed out, and another joined the team. According to Mike Klis of 9 News on Twitter/X, after former Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder backed out of Broncos rookie minicamp, the Broncos found a replacement in former New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ian Book. During the 2021 NFL Draft, Sean Payton, then the head coach of the Saints, drafted Book in the fourth round. Book reunites with Payton in Denver, while Ridder goes elsewhere for an opportunity. Advertisement Book has just one game of NFL experience, where back in 2021 he started a game for the Saints in his rookie season. Book went 12 of 20 for 135 passing yards and two interceptions, with no touchdowns. The 27-year-old has since bounced around the NFL, going to the Eagles, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, before re-joining the Eagles at the end of the 2024 season. He was signed to the active roster, and then put back onto the practice squad in Philly, where he remained as the Eagles beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half at Allegiant Lee-Imagn Images Ridder, meanwhile, is a former third-round pick of the Falcons in the 2022 NFL Draft. He's also bounced around the league, finding starting opportunities with the Cardinals and Raiders after his release from the Falcons. Advertisement Ridder has 18 starts in his NFL career, with 13 coming in the 2023 season with Atlanta. He had 249 completions on 388 attempts for 2,836 passing yards and 12 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. With the Raiders in 2024, Ridder appeared in six games, starting just one. He threw 52 completions on 85 attempts for 458 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. With Ridder backing out of the Broncos' minicamp, the door opened for Book to reunite with Payton. Both would be unlikely to make the 53-man roster, as Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, and Sam Ehlinger all would likely be on the roster after final cuts. Related: Broncos Make Announcement on Five Rookie Draft Picks Related: Broncos' Alex Singleton Has Lofty Goal For 2025 Defense
USA Today
02-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals could bring back QB Desmond Ridder in free agency
Arizona Cardinals could bring back QB Desmond Ridder in free agency Desmond Ridder will not be tendered by the Raiders. Could the Cardinals bring him back as a free agent a year after trading for him? The Arizona Cardinals are expected to add another quarterback to their roster this offseason. They could bring back a familiar face. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Las Vegas Raiders have informed quarterback Desmond Ridder that they will not tender him as a restricted free agent, which means he will be an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins March 12. The Cardinals traded for Ridder, acquiring him from the Atlanta Falcons for receiver Rondale Moore. He was beat out by Clayton Tune as backup quarterback to starter Kyler Murray, but was re-signed after final cuts to the practice squad, where he was until late October when the Raiders signed him. He appeared in six games for the Raiders last season and made one start. He completed 612% of his passes for 458 yards, two touchdown passes and two interceptions. Orginally drafted by the Falcons in the third round in 2022, he has 18 career starts for an 8-10 record. He has thrown 16 career touchdown passes and 14 interceptions, and he has rushed for five touchdowns as well. The Cardinals liked Ridder last offseason. He was just outplayed by Tune in training camp and the preseason. As the Cardinals will add another quarterback to the roster this offseason, either to fill practice reps and evaluate or to compete with Tune for the backup QB job in 2025. It would not be an outrageous thought that they would try and bring Ridder back, considering he has starting experience and also has spent time in their offensive system. The Cardinals and the rest of the NFL will be able to begin contacting scheduled free agents beginning March 10. We will see if they end up having any interest in bringing Ridder back this offseason. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Falcons QB Desmond Ridder must find a new NFL home
After a whirlwind 2024 campaign, it appears former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder will be searching for a new home yet again in 2025. According to a report from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Las Vegas Raiders informed Ridder that they won't tender him as a restricted free agent. Even though the Raiders are in the market for a quarterback and struck out on Matthew Stafford, the move doesn't come as a total surprise since they already have Aidan O'Connell under contract. The team will likely add a more experienced quarterback, such as Kirk Cousins, or target one in the 2025 NFL draft. The #Raiders informed QB Desmond Ridder they won't tender him as a restricted free agent, per source. The former Cincinnati star, Ridder has 18 career starts for Atlanta and Las Vegas. An experienced option now set to hit the market. — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 28, 2025 Ridder, 25, was traded from Atlanta to Arizona after the Falcons signed Cousins last offseason. The former third-round pick out of Cincinnati was cut by the Cardinals at the 53-man roster deadline but landed on the practice squad. The Raiders eventually signed Ridder out of necessity after injuries began to pile up at the quarterback position. In 2024, Ridder passed for 458 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in six games. His lone start came against the Falcons on "Monday Night Football" in Week 15. Ridder nearly led the Raiders on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter but came up just short as Atlanta held on for a 15-9 win. After the game, the Falcons benched starting quarterback Kirk Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. While Ridder probably won't start for a team next season, there should be a handful of franchises interested in signing him as a backup. In 25 career games, Ridder has passed for 4,002 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Cousins will also likely be playing elsewhere next season, whether he's traded or released by the Falcons. Check out our list of potential landing spots for Cousins in 2025. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Ex-Falcons QB Desmond Ridder headed for free agency in 2025
USA Today
28-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-Falcons QB Desmond Ridder must find a new NFL home in 2025
Ex-Falcons QB Desmond Ridder must find a new NFL home in 2025 Falcons' former third-round pick Desmond Ridder headed for free agency after Raiders decline tender The #Raiders informed QB Desmond Ridder they won't tender him as a restricted free agent, per source. The former Cincinnati star, Ridder has 18 career starts for Atlanta and Las Vegas. An experienced option now set to hit the market. — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 28, 2025 After a whirlwind 2024 campaign, it appears former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder will be searching for a new home yet again in 2025. According to a report from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Las Vegas Raiders informed Ridder that they won't tender him as a restricted free agent. Even though the Raiders are in the market for a quarterback and struck out on Matthew Stafford, the move doesn't come as a total surprise since they already have Aidan O'Connell under contract. The team will likely add a more experienced quarterback, such as Kirk Cousins, or target one in the 2025 NFL draft. Ridder, 25, was traded from Atlanta to Arizona after the Falcons signed Cousins last offseason. The former third-round pick out of Cincinnati was cut by the Cardinals at the 53-man roster deadline but landed on the practice squad. The Raiders eventually signed Ridder out of necessity after injuries began to pile up at the quarterback position. In 2024, Ridder passed for 458 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in six games. His lone start came against the Falcons on "Monday Night Football" in Week 15. Ridder nearly led the Raiders on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter but came up just short as Atlanta held on for a 15-9 win. After the game, the Falcons benched starting quarterback Kirk Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. While Ridder probably won't start for a team next season, there should be a handful of franchises interested in signing him as a backup. In 25 career games, Ridder has passed for 4,002 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Cousins will also likely be playing elsewhere next season, whether he's traded or released by the Falcons. Check out our list of potential landing spots for Cousins in 2025.
