Recently Hired Vikings Quarterback Appears Likely to Soon be Fired
Vikings quarterback Desmond Ridder is working as the QB3 on Minnesota’s roster. He earned the job after proving to be a better option than Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Mr. Ridder is in town due to the injury to J.J. McCarthy. The sophomore is working through an ankle ailment — keeping him on the shelf for Week 4 — so the adjustment has involved bumping Carson Wentz up to QB1 and Max Brosmer up to QB2. The emergency third option is Ridder, someone who doesn’t appear to be in Minnesota’s season-long plans.
A Vikings Quarterback Hired to be Fired
Originally, Mr. Ridder got into the NFL courtesy of the 3rd Round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The passer was chosen at No. 74, a reasonably high spot that suggests there was some belief in his ability to develop into an on-field contributor. Ridder could, quite possibly, become a decent starter, someone who could turn talent into a productive career at the NFL’s foremost position.
The rookie season was modest. In four games, Ridder went 2-2 while completing 63.5% of his passes for 708 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.
The young passer got a chance to take control of the Falcons’ offense in a full-time capacity in 2023. Going 6-7, Ridder finished off his year having completed 64.2% of his passes for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. So, far from dominant numbers.
Atlanta’s response was bold (translation: foolish).
The 2024 offseason involved welcoming Kirk Cousins to Georgia for a four-year contract worth a total of $180 million. Cousins has come nowhere close to fulfilling the deal. And then there was the decision to sink the No. 8 selection into quarterback Michael Penix Jr., inserting instant uncertainty into the quarterback room. Desmond Ridder was moved out via trade, sent to Arizona.
The Cardinals put Desmond Ridder onto their practice squad for 2024. Eventually, Las Vegas came calling, giving the passer a home on the 53-man roster.
Cincinnati then signed Ridder, sliding him down to their practice squad for the 2025 season. Minnesota sent over a contract offer after losing McCarthy, creating the need for enhanced depth. When is that need going to diminish?
The roster is carrying four passers: McCarthy, Wentz, Brosmer, and Ridder. In all likelihood, that’s not going to continue for the remainder of the year. Three is company, a maxim that proves true for an NFL roster that has limited room. McCarthy hasn’t been moved to the IR, a sign that the Vikings expect him to be healthy in time for Week 7 (at a minimum).
Minnesota seems likely to move on from Desmond Ridder in some capacity once McCarthy is healthy enough to play. Very few NFL teams, if any, see the need to have four arms on the active roster. What remains to be seen is if Ridder will find a spot on the Vikings’ practice squad.
Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 215 pounds, Desmond Ridder ran a very impressive 4.52 forty leading into the draft. He is 26.
Passers commonly play their best while in Minnesota. Working under the tutelage of Kevin O’Connell can do that (which is to say nothing of the abundant talent and top-tier facilities). Maybe Desmond Ridder sticks around longer than most expect, functioning as solid depth along the way.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
