Report: Bengals to sign QB Desmond Ridder
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Report: Bengals to sign QB Desmond Ridder
Desmond Ridder, 25, was a Falcons third-round pick in 2022. He started four games for the club in his rookie year and 13 in 2023. With the Falcons signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix last year, Ridder was traded.
Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Desmond Ridder is signing with Cincinnati.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for Ridder, who played his college ball at the University of Cincinnati. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was also Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator and QBs coach when Ridder was being recruited.
Ridder, 25, was a Falcons third-round pick in 2022. He started four games for the club in his rookie year and 13 in 2023. With the Falcons signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix last year, Ridder was traded to the Cardinals. But he ended up with the Raiders, appearing in six games with one start last season.
He completed 61 percent of his throws for 458 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in 2024.
With Jake Browning solidified as Cincinnati’s backup behind Joe Burrow, Ridder is likely competing to be the team’s third quarterback. The Bengals also have Logan Woodside and rookie Payton Thorne on their roster at QB.
Report: Bengals to sign former UC Bearcat quarterback Desmond Ridder
Desmond Ridder, 25, is now on his fourth stop in the NFL. He was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons cut Ridder after two seasons where Ridder served as Atlanta’s starting quarterback. Ridder joined the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders as a backup.
Ridder, 25, is now on his fourth stop in the NFL. He was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons cut Ridder after two seasons where Ridder served as Atlanta’s starting quarterback.
Following his stint with the Falcons, Ridder joined the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders as a backup.
During his time as UC’s starting quarterback, Ridder led the Bearcats to the college football playoff semi-finals against Alabama in 2021. Ridder became the Bearcats’ starting quarterback in the 2018 season.
Ridder joins a quarterback room in Cincinnati that is led by Joe Burrow with Jake Browning, Logan Woodside and Payton Thorne. This move comes a few days before the Bengals start training camp and it signals the Bengals want to bring in another body to the quarterback room and create competition at the No. 3 quaterback spot.
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Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has ties to Ridder from when he was served as the Bearcats’ offensive coordinator in 2016 and played a significant role in recruiting him to Cincinnati.