Almost Quietly, The Vikings Said Goodbye to a Quarterback
To be fair, the move was expected.
Nevertheless, the decision is notable enough. Minnesota participated in some roster shuffling on October 4th. The Vikings said goodbye to Desmond Ridder, a move that will arrive as good news for a lot of people (through no fault of Ridder). After all, the team needed the enhanced depth due to J.J. McCarthy’s injury. Moving on must mean that McCarthy is getting close to a return.
The Vikings Said Goodbye to a QB
In all likelihood, Mr. Ridder knew the day was coming.
A very good portion of NFL employees are hired to be fired. Job security is a fleeting thing in a workplace as competitive as the NFL. Teams eventually turn toward youth and cost-effective options, meaning there aren’t too many coaches and/or players who can leave the game behind on their own terms.
With Desmond Ridder, the reality was especially prominent.
The ankle injury to J.J. McCarthy was very deflating. All of the sudden, the struggling sophomore couldn’t prove his on-field mettle, needing to get healthy before doing so. McCarthy may end up being better for the ability to step back and reset mentally, but that remains to be seen. The chance to catch his breath arrived due to his body demanding time off.
In response, the Vikings promoted Carson Wentz. The former No. 2 selection hasn’t been spectacular — he made and missed several throws in Week 5 alone — but he has looked like a solid enough backup quarterback.
There’s then Max Brosmer. The rookie UDFA has upside. So, too, does he have the respect of his coaching staff and teammates. Even still, Minnesota isn’t keen about allowing the unproven young fella to carry the weight of winning games on his shoulders. Sitting and learning appear to be the wisest directives for an undrafted rookie.
Swirling around all of the quarterback depth chart adjusting and jostling has been the Ridder signing.
Originally, the move coincided with taking on the Bengals. Minnesota therefore got a two-for-one deal. Ridder had been employed in Cincinnati, so signing him came with the benefit of getting some insider knowledge of how Zac Taylor was running the show. Beef up the depth and get some VIP access to the Week 3 opponent. Makes sense, right?
And then in Week 4 Ridder maintained his spot on the roster, functioning as the emergency QB3. The designation is meaningful. Kevin O’Connell didn’t have the option to insert Ridder while benching Wentz and Brosmer due to poor play. The only way to get Ridder under center would have involved the top passers being hurt, necessitating an emergency option.
For a couple weeks, Desmond Ridder was that player in Minnesota. Offering that reassurance has value, but only while McCarthy needs time off.
In the modern NFL, three quarterbacks on the roster looks like the sweet spot.
Having a starter and a backup is standard. No team proceeds without at least a pair. And then there’s the eminently reasonable decision to allow a team to carry an emergency third. Doing so ensures that things don’t devolve into unwatchable football as a non-quarterback — such as a receiver or running back — steps into the position due to familiarity with the offense.
The Vikings’ preferred option is to proceed with J.J. McCarthy as the starter while having Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer as the two depth pieces.
Desmond Ridder will be looking for his next opportunity. If there’s a willingness to carve out a practice squad slot, Ridder may be kept within the Vikings’ roster orbit. He is still only 26.
