Desmond Ridder is making a homecoming of sorts by signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, giving him the opportunity to compete for the backup quarterback role behind Joe Burrow. This move reunites Ridder with Bengals coach Zac Taylor, who originally recruited him to the University of Cincinnati during his time as the Bearcats’ offensive coordinator back in 2016. Ridder, a former third-round draft pick, brings a wealth of experience and a notable collegiate history back to a city that knows him well.
Ridder will find himself in a quarterback room that includes not only the star power of Joe Burrow but also Jake Browning and Auburn’s undrafted rookie, Payton Thorne. Jake Browning, who proved his chops as a reliable backup during Burrow’s injury woes in 2023, is expected to hold onto the second-string spot. Ridder’s arrival adds a competitive edge to the number three slot, where he will likely vie with players like Logan Woodside and the young talent of Thorne.
It’s been a journey for Ridder since his days at the University of Cincinnati. After being drafted 74th overall in 2022 by the Atlanta Falcons, his tenure there saw him stepping onto the field in 19 games, starting in 17. While his record with the Falcons ended at 8-9, he managed to rack up 3,544 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and threw 12 interceptions. Following a trade to Arizona for wide receiver Rondale Moore ahead of the 2024 season, Ridder faced further challenges. Although he started only once in his six games with the Las Vegas Raiders, he navigated through for 458 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Ridder’s return to Cincinnati is also a chance for him to reboot his career in a familiar environment. With an overall professional completion rate of 63.6% for 4,002 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, he’s clearly got a robust foundation to build upon. Desmond Ridder’s is a tale of persistence and adaptability, as he seeks to etch his mark in the NFL, once again under the watchful eyes of the Cincinnati faithful.
