Vikings Cut Ties with a Quarterback
For the second time in three years, the Minnesota Vikings have had to work with a QB carousel. Kirk Cousins’ injury led to a mix of Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall in 2023. J.J. McCarthy’s injury struggles allowed Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer to play some ball in 2025.
Vikings Cut Ties with a Quarterback
As the Vikings prepare their roster for the final five games of the 2025 season, the club will move forward with three passers: J.J. McCarthy, Max Brosmer, and John Wolford.
While McCarthy was out with his concussion, the franchise also employed Desmond Ridder on the practice squad, but he was axed on Tuesday, indicating McCarthy’s return to action. The franchise announced the move on social media.
Given the disastrous quarterback play Vikings fans have had to endure, one wonders whether Ridder would actually be a downgrade from McCarthy or Brosmer. The 2022 third-rounder is not a Pro Bowler by any means, but he still delivered 16 passing touchdowns and 14 interceptions in his contests with the Falcons and Raiders.
It was already the second stint for Ridder with the Vikings. He was initially added to the 53-man roster when McCarthy was out with his ankle injury earlier in the year, but was waived a couple of weeks later. Kevin O’Connell entered Week 5 without a third healthy quarterback on the roster — a rarity during his tenure.
Once Wentz went down with his shoulder injury, the Vikings didn’t acquire Ridder, but turned to veteran Wolford as the QB3 option on the practice squad. Ridder re-signed when McCarthy was set to miss Sunday’s game to ensure having a third arm in practice. The former Falcon was not active last Sunday when the Vikings dropped a goose egg in Seattle.
During his college days, Ridder quarterbacked the University of Cincinnati. He started 48 games, throwing for 87 touchdowns and rushing for another 28.
Ridder entered the draft in 2022 and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round. The Falcons relied on him as their starter 17 times in two seasons before moving on in favor of Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. Ridder was traded to Arizona for Rondale Moore, who’s now on Minnesota’s IR. Later that year, he logged some playing time with the Las Vegas Raiders.
In the summer, in training camp, he had a homecoming as he competed for a roster spot with the Bengals. He was cut ahead of the season, though. On his 2025 resume are only the two stints with the Vikings. No other team has hired him.
In his NFL career, Ridder has played in 25 games (18 starts), accumulating 4,002 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Ridder possesses decent athleticism, as evidenced by his 293 rushing yards and five touchdowns as a ball carrier. He collected an 8-9 record in his 17 starts.
Barring another injury, the Vikings will finish the season with McCarthy as the QB1, backed up by Brosmer, with Wolford providing some veteran depth.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.