It’s been a tough year for former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder. After an underwhelming 2023 campaign as Atlanta’s starting QB, Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals for wide receiver Rondale Moore during the offseason.
The former third-round pick was released by the Cardinals at the 53-man roster deadline and later signed to Arizona’s practice squad. Ridder has yet to appear in a regular-season game this season but he may finally be getting another chance.
On Tuesday, the Las Vegas Raiders signed Ridder to replace injured quarterback Aidan O’Connell. With Gardner Minshew struggling, Ridder could get some reps down the stretch for a Raiders team that’s last in the AFC West.
Ridder got emotional when asked about getting another chance in the NFL, citing his motivation to succeed for his family.
Desmond Ridder got emotional when asked what getting the call from the Raiders meant to him
“My daughter was like 'Daddy, where are you going?' I gotta go to Vegas."
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— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) October 23, 2024
“I was just cut three months ago,” said Ridder. “That should be enough opportunity, enough motivation to keep me going any time. Back home, I got the call and everything. My daughter was like ‘Daddy, where are you going?’ I’m like, gotta go to Vegas. I know I do everything for them. I do everything for my family so it’s just another opportunity to go out and prove to them, prove to myself, prove to everyone that I can be out here and go do this.”
Ridder appeared in 19 games during his two seasons in Atlanta, passing for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Falcons will face off against the Raiders in Week 15, so there’s a chance they could see Ridder this season.
