Desmond Ridder
TheCincinnati Bengals announced Wednesday that they’ve released quarterbackDesmond Ridder as part of their53-man roster cuts.
ForFalcons fans, the move is another reminder of just how dramatically the franchise has reshaped its quarterback room in the past two years.
Ridder’s Rise and Fall in Atlanta
Desmond Ridder
GettyDesmond Ridder spent two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before the team traded him to the Cardinals in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore.
Desmond Ridder arrived in Atlanta as a third round pick in 2022, and by 2023 he was the team’s starter. That year, he started 15 games, throwing for 2,836 yards and 12 touchdowns. The production showed flashes, but inconsistency ultimately led the Falcons to pursue a full reset in 2024, when they signedKirk Cousins and then draftedMichael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick.
Since leaving Atlanta, Ridder has struggled to stick. He spent time with theArizona Cardinals,Las Vegas Raiders, and most recently Cincinnati, never completing more than one season at any stop. His release this week shows how quickly the league has moved on from a player once trusted with the Falcons’ offense.
Head coach Zach Taylor praised Ridder’s approach after the preseason, saying:
“I was pleased how he came in. He came in the day before training camp, picked up the offense, did a great job trying to affect his teammates and fitting into the quarterback room. I appreciate all that about him.
“I know today he probably needed to be cleaner in some areas, but I appreciate his work ethic, I appreciate his attitude, and I appreciate how he fit in as a Cincinnati Bengal. Again, we’ll continue to move on with him and everybody else.”
Ultimately, though, the Bengals opted for continuity. With Browning already proven as a spot starter in Burrow’s absence last year, Ridder became the odd man out.
The Falcons Quarterback Reset Looks Different Now
Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins
GettyMichael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins lead the Falcons current QB room.
For Atlanta, Ridder’s release reinforces why the organization pivoted so aggressively in 2024. With Penix now the starter and Cousins serving as the veteran bridge, the Falcons have clarity they never had with Ridder. His inability to land a stable role elsewhere highlights how risky it would have been to keep betting on his development.
Desmond Ridder, for his part, believes he still has a future. “Obviously, I thought I could have done better,” he said of his preseason. Asked if he can still start in the NFL, he was emphatic: “Yeah, 100 percent. Like I said, I’ve got to clean some things up, but at the end of the day, I know what my capabilities are. At the end of the day, you’ve just got to go out there and execute.”
Whether another opportunity arises remains to be seen. Ridder’s release highlights the shrinking margin for error at quarterback, especially for players drafted outside the first round.
For Atlanta, Ridder’s release further validates their decision to reset at quarterback. While Ridder is searching for stability, the Falcons are moving forward with Michael Penix Jr. as the centerpiece of their future.
For Atlanta, though, the picture is clearer. While Ridder searches for stability, the Falcons have turned the page with Penix. And the Bengals decision reinforces that Atlanta’s bold decision to reset the position in 2024 may have been the right one all along.