MAY 8: Ridder’s tryout will not take place after all. Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post reports the veteran will not actually be in Denver during the team’s rookie minicamp. Ridder will no doubt still have plenty of other opportunities to compete for a roster spot this offseason, though.
MAY 6: Desmond Ridder continues to look for his next gig, and he may find that opportunity in Denver. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the veteran quarterback will participate at Broncos rookie minicamp as a veteran tryout player.
Ridder got into six games for the Raiders in 2024, but the team didn’t place a tender on him after the season, making him an unrestricted free agent. A number of backup-quality QBs have since signed new contracts, leaving Ridder as one of the few experienced options left on the market. Outside of Aaron Rodgers, the rest of the current free agent options include Carson Wentz, Teddy Bridgewater, and Tyler Huntley.
Ridder got one start for the Raiders last season, completing 23 of his 39 pass attempts for 208 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a loss to the Falcons. He had a handful of additional relief appearances, and he ultimately finished the season with 85 pass attempts.
The former third-round pick got an extended look as a starter in 2023, when he went 6-7 with the Falcons. He tossed 12 touchdowns vs. 12 interceptions that year, and he added another five touchdowns on the ground. He was traded to the Cardinals after the season and spent the first month of the 2024 campaign on Arizona’s practice squad.
The top of Denver’s depth chart is settled with Bo Nix as the starter and Jarrett Stidham as the QB2. If Ridder does catch on with the Broncos, he would likely compete with Sam Ehlinger for the QB3 role or the first shot at a practice squad gig.
He should try out for Arby’s or Walmart
There’s still a few Arthur Treacher’s around if he’s a seafood fan.
Never heard of it lol
Payton collects QBs the way that he does running backs, but I’m not sure that I see the necessity of a signing for Denver, here. All good fortune to Ridder, whom I feel badly for, but I just don’t think that Denver really needs him as much as they would a more veteran quarterback. I mean, Stidhsm appears to possibly be the next version of Chase Daniel for Payton (a veteran with limited starts who doesn’t often get into games but that Payton loves), so I’m not sure that Ridder has an open spot with the Broncos for the taking.
Why wouldn’t you want him as a third string guy? He’s got 18 career starts that’s good experience for the role
As a former Bearcat myself I hope he puts it all together and becomes a serviceable backup, but all indications are the NFL is a little past his skill level. Hopefully he can get into a system that takes advantage of his skill set and lets him prosper. For all those guys saying he’s a bum, blah, blah, blah, he’s made it to the NFL,have you?
Found Ridder’s agent or…wife!
Lol
Is that you Mr Impotent-always-Impotent? Or was it important-not-important? I think it was actually impotent. You have a nice day and I think they have medicine for your condition now.
He needs to nag the Colts to give him a shot. They’re gonna need a plan B when Anthony Richardson becomes Matt Leinart 2.0.
Colts not a bad fit he can learn behind Daniel and AR under steichen
Another choice is Vikings or Steelers for debt
This zero must apparently think he is starter material. That’s too bad, as he’d be a good fit as Denver’s backup.
He’s far less of a good fit in Denver than Jarrett Stidham who is a solid backup. I doubt Ridder would’ve even beaten out Sam Ehlinger for third string; Ehlinger has some upside and he too is a good fit for what Denver is looking for.
It’s not too late to ask a CFL team for a training camp invite, right?