Former Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Desmond Ridder is attempting to continue his career. The failing quarterback joined the Indianapolis Colts on a tryout basis in the team's minicamp. Ridder, being unable to find an NFL contract in the 2025 offseason, doesn't come as a surprise to Falcons fans who endured watching the signal caller for a full season.
Ridder's most consistent trait was finding a way to turn the ball over in the game's biggest moments. Whether it was fumbling a snap or throwing a mind-numbingly bad interception, the quarterback always found a way.
This resulted in the team trading Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for receiver Rondale Moore. The deal would end up being a loss for both sides, with Moore missing his lone season in Atlanta due to injury, and Ridder failing to make Arizona's roster. The quarterback would end up on the practice squad before getting a chance to continue his career due to a myriad of quarterback injuries to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Former Falcons Quarterback Desmond Ridder Is Nearing the End
Desmond Ridder attends Colts minicamp on tryout basis. https://t.co/PrqaxweZYW
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 10, 2025
It is impossible to see the former Falcon making the Colts roster, considering the team's current trio of options. Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson, and Riley Leonard will be the team's choices barring an injury or a trade. With this in mind, Ridder's tryout is really an attempt to prove he can contribute with the hopes of landing another role elsewhere.
Things have quickly grown difficult for a player who, only two seasons ago, was being talked about as the next franchise quarterback in Atlanta. The fact that the front office that scouted Ridder and came to this conclusion is still in place is a bit concerning. However, at least the Falcons were able to quickly pivot in another direction after the epic failure.
It is hard not to cheer for Ridder, even with how awful the quarterback was in his time in Atlanta. The way the quarterback carried himself off the field and took responsibility for the team's mistakes made it easy to want the QB to turn things in the right direction. Opportunities to do this are quickly running out, however, as the former Falcon continues his search for a backup role.