Ridder looks set to start Saturday's exhibition opener against the Saints, and potentially Arizona's following two preseason contests, after coach Jonathan Gannon said Tuesday that Kyler Murray will not play until Week 1, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports. Ridder, who was dealt to the Cardinals back in March, appears primed for a busy preseason along with No. 3 quarterback Clayton Tune. After appearing in 19 regular-season games for the Falcons over the last two years, Ridder brings substantial NFL experience to the table as Murray's top backup, he won't see much of the field this season if all goes well for Arizona.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Desmond Ridder news
Team
Arizona Cardinals
Birthdate
8/31/1999 (24)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'3", 207 lbs
Draft Info
2022: Rd 3; Pk (ATL)
Birthplace
Louisville, KY, USA
Position
QB
College
Cincinnati
Experience
3 seasons
Career History
Arizona Cardinals
2024-Present
(1 season)
Atlanta Falcons
2022-2024
(2 seasons)
Ridder looks set to start Saturday's exhibition opener against the Saints, and potentially Arizona's following two preseason contests, after coach Jonathan Gannon said Tuesday that Kyler Murray will not play until Week 1, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports. Ridder, who was dealt to the Cardinals back in March, appears primed for a busy preseason along with No. 3 quarterback Clayton Tune. After appearing in 19 regular-season games for the Falcons over the last two years, Ridder brings substantial NFL experience to the table as Murray's top backup, he won't see much of the field this season if all goes well for Arizona.
The Falcons are trading Ridder to Arizona in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Ridder gets a chance to start fresh after Atlanta opted to ink Kirk Cousins (Achilles) to a massive four-year contract, and he becomes the favorite to back up Kyler Murray for the Cardinals. The team also has 2023 fifth-round pick Clayton Tune available, and further competition could be added this offseason, but Ridder boasts enough experience to step up in emergency circumstances. Across 15 appearances last season he completed 249 of 388 passes for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The Falcons are expected to trade Ridder following the signing of Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract worth up to $180 million, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Atlanta reportedly doesn't have an immediate deal in place, but Ridder should draw some interest from teams in the league willing to part with later draft picks. The 2022 third-round pick boasts a unique amount of starting experience, as he's now heading into just his age-25 season, potentially making him an upgrade as a No. 2 option for some quarterback rooms in the NFL. If Ridder is indeed traded, it could throw a wrench in the assumption that Atlanta will release Taylor Heinicke in a cap-savings move.
Ridder figures to be relegated to a backup role with the Falcons set to sign Kirk Cousins, per the team's official website. The 2022 third-round pick has won eight of his 17 NFL starts while throwing 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. He's completed 64.0 percent of his passes for 7.0 YPA, but with a higher-than-average sack rate (7.4 percent) and nine lost fumbles. Overall, Ridder has the same number of turnovers (19) as combined passing and rushing TDs in the NFL. The Falcons likely will release Taylor Heinicke after their agreement with Cousins becomes official.
Ridder's return to the starting job was far from crisp, with the second-year signal-caller posting his third multi-interception tally of the campaign. However, Ridder was able to leverage his ground game, defense and a depleted Saints offense to help lead the Falcons to a much-needed win while failing to reach the 200-yard mark for the third time in a full game this season. Ridder showed very good rapport with top target Drake London and threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Bijan Robinson, but otherwise, the remaining Atlanta players that caught a pass combined for just five receptions and 45 yards. Ridder will aim to contribute much more through the air in a tough matchup against a stingy Jets secondary in a Week 13 road clash.
Smith's comments seemingly refer to Ridder's health, even though the quarterback passed all concussion tests when he was checked during halftime of Sunday's 28-23 loss to the Titans. Ridder played the entire first half of the game, leading Atlanta to just three points over seven drives while completing eight of 12 pass attempts for 71 yards to go with 26 yards on the ground and a lost fumble. Though Ridder was cleared to return for the second half, Taylor Heinicke stepped in at quarterback and performed far more effectively, producing points on four of his six drives. Given that Ridder has turned the ball over 12 times (six interceptions, six lost fumbles) through eight games and the Falcons are now sitting at 4-4 on the season, Smith appears to be seriously considering the prospect of moving the second-year signal-caller to the bench. Expect Smith to shed more light on the Falcons' plans at quarterback for Week 9 when the team resumes practicing Wednesday.
Ridder didn't appear in the second half of the loss, though after the game, coach Arthur Smith disclosed that his quarterback had been checked for a concussion. Despite being cleared to return, Smith, opted to play it safe, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. That means Ridder is likely to return to his starting role in Week 9 against the Vikings. As for his performance, Ridder was inefficient even in a positive matchup and also lost his sixth fumble in his last six contests.