The Denver Broncos are setting up an interesting rookie minicamp set to run May 9-11. In addition to hosting veteran running back Chris Evans on a tryout, the team has now invited former third-round pick Desmond Ridder on a veteran tryout, according to Mike Klis of 9News.
The Broncos have a stable quarterback situation with Bo Nix as the starter and Jarrett Stidham behind him. The team brought in Sam Ehlinger as a free agent this offseason but if things go well for Ridder, he could either replace Ehlinger as the No. 3 QB on the depth chart or be thrown into the mix to compete for that job in training camp.
After a massive college career at Cincinnati that saw Ridder throw for over 10,000 passing yards and 87 touchdowns, while taking the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff as a senior, things have not gone the way many thought they would for him in the NFL.
A third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, Ridder was the team's starter for 17 games. The Falcons went 8-9 in those games and after the 2023 season, decided that wasn't good enough and traded him to the Arizona Cardinals for wide receiver Rondale Moore.
Ridder would then lose the battle for the Cardinals' backup job last summer to Clayton Tune. Though he was re-signed to the practice squad after being cut, the Las Vegas Raiders signed him from the practice squad. He made one start for the Raiders but didn't do enough to warrant being brought back by them, despite their quarterback position not being deep.
Ridder is now looking to take advantage of what might be his last chance in the NFL. Sean Payton is known to be a miracle worker of sorts with quarterbacks, so if he could do enough to earn a contract, he could get a chance to earn his stay as a backup and the team's emergency third quarterback this season.
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