The Minnesota Vikings have brought in another quarterback with NFL starting experience to help make up for the absence of J.J. McCarthy.
The second-year QB is expected to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. Carson Wentz is expected to be the starter in the meantime.
But on Tuesday afternoon, the Vikings signed another passer: Desmond Ridder. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Ridder will go right onto the 53-man roster.
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Ridder's placement on the active roster means that he leapfrogs undrafted rookie QB Max Brosmer, who seemingly will remain on the practice squad.
Ridder entered the NFL as a third-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2022 NFL Draft.
He started four games as a rookie for the Falcons, going 2-2.
Then in year two, Ridder made 13 starts in Atlanta, with a 6-7 record and 12 TD passes to go with 12 interceptions.
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The Falcons let him go, and the Raiders brought him in for 2024. He made one start, losing that game.
In his NFL career, Ridder is 8-10 as a starter. He has a 63.6% completion percentage and has thrown 16 touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions.
Ridder can also run a bit, having taken 78 carries for 293 yards and five rushing TDs in his NFL action, too.
He's moved around more than one might expect given his draft pedigree and the fact that he has a season in which he made 13 starts and had a record just under .500.
But the Vikings won't complain right now about Ridder's availability, because they needed some experience and they found it in the free agent pool.
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