Bengals Sign Former Falcons Raiders QB Desmond Ridder

Desmond Ridder, a former University of Cincinnati quarterback, has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals to compete for the backup quarterback role behind starter Joe Burrow. Ridder, drafted in the third round by the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, has experience as a starter with the Falcons and has played for the Las Vegas Raiders and briefly with the Arizona Cardinals in 2024. Despite struggling to secure a starting position in recent preseason stints and being released by Arizona, Ridder brings a solid pedigree and NFL experience to Cincinnati's quarterback room. The Bengals' current backup competition includes Jake Browning, Logan Woodside, and rookie Payton Thorne, with Ridder likely the most experienced candidate. Ridder had earlier declined a tryout with the Denver Broncos, raising questions about his career plans, but his signing with the Bengals confirms his intent to continue playing professionally. This move marks a homecoming for Ridder, who played college football at Cincinnati.