The Atlanta Falcons were active on the quarterback market last offseason. They signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract during free agency. They didn't stop there and added Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Prior to all these moves, they traded quarterback Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for Rondale Moore. He ended up getting claimed off the practice squad by the Las Vegas Raiders but didn't last there, either.
As teams prepare for the 2025 season, the Raiders informed Ridder they won't tender him as a restricted free agent, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.
The #Raiders informed QB Desmond Ridder they won’t tender him as a restricted free agent, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 28, 2025
The former Cincinnati star, Ridder has 18 career starts for Atlanta and Las Vegas. An experienced option now set to hit the market. pic.twitter.com/wVBwHMxdlE
Desmond Ridder Will Be an Unrestricted Free Agent
Ridder was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Falcons. He started in 17 games for them between 2022 and 2023, but he didn't produce at a high level during that timeframe. Despite going 8-9 as the starter, he completed 64% of his passes for 3,544 passing yards and 14 passing touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
He didn't get that same opportunity with the Raiders in 2024, as he started just one game. Across six games, Ridder went 52-of-85 (61.2%) for 458 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two interceptions. Per PFF, he finished with a 45.7 overall grade (69th among 75 quarterbacks).
He didn't show Las Vegas enough to retain for the next season, which is tough since the Raiders are searching for their franchise quarterback going forward.
Ridder will now get the chance to pick his next landing spot, but it won't be with the Falcons. Atlanta is fully supporting Penix as their starter and is comfortable with Cousins as their backup.
Ridder may have the chance to become somebody's QB2 this spring, but the Raiders don't seem likely to re-sign him for the 2025 season.