<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-minnesota-desmond-ridder-jj-mccarthy-ir-decision');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings sign Desmond Ridder after making JJ McCarthy IR decision');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Desmond-Ridder-with-cincinnati-Bengals.jpg"><figcaption>Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Vikings sign Desmond Ridder after making JJ McCarthy IR decision</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-16T13:15:38-07:00">September 16th, 1:15pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-16T13:31:32-07:00">September 16th, 1:31pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings were embarrassed by the Atlanta Falcons at home on Sunday, losing 22-6. On Monday morning, they announced that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-jj-mccarthy-aaron-jones-both-likely-miss-week-3-injuries">JJ McCarthy was doubtful for Week 3 with an ankle injury</a>. While Minnesota did not place the first-year starter on injured reserve, it did need a new backup for Carson Wentz. The Vikings have signed Desmond Ridder to the 53-man roster, with JJ McCarthy<a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1968041895768277304" rel="noopener"> expected to miss</a> Sunday’s game.</p><p>“The Vikings are signing QB Desmond Ridder to the 53-man roster, with JJ McCarthy suffering an ankle injury, per me and<br>Tom Pelissero,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.</p><p>“No injured reserve for J.J. McCarthy, who is week-to-week with a high ankle sprain. But Minnesota is back to three healthy QBs: Carson Wentz, rookie Max Brosmer and Desmond Ridder, the onetime Falcons starter,” Pelissero <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1968042228099715396" rel="noopener">added</a>.</p><p>Ridder was with the Cincinnati Bengals in training camp, but did not make the team. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-joe-burrow-miss-3-months-toe-surgery">Even with Joe Burrow out for months due to turf toe</a>, Cincy decided against bringing him back. Ridder, who spent last year with the Las Vegas Raiders, will now serve as the backup for the Vikings.</p><p>Ridder was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round out of the University of Cincinnati. After 17 starts over two years in Atlanta, Raheem Morris sent him packing in favor of Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. He got into six games with Vegas last year, including one start, and threw just two touchdowns.</p><p>The Vikings hope that Carson Wentz can lead them to a few victories while McCarthy nurses his ankle injury. While Minnesota’s playoff chances took a hit with Sunday’s loss, they can still compete in the deep NFC. Max Brosmer may get in over Ridder if something were to happen, but the veteran is there for insurance.</p><p>The Vikings host the Bengals on Sunday in a backup quarterback battle.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings sign Desmond Ridder after making JJ McCarthy IR decision

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-cincinnati-release-backup-qb-desmond-ridder');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bengals release backup QB Desmond Ridder');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bengals-QB-Desmond-Ridder.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Bengals release backup QB Desmond Ridder</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-26T08:32:51-07:00">August 26th, 8:32am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-26T08:32:51-07:00">August 26th, 8:32am</time><address><a>Jaren Kawada</a>Jaren Kawada is a former full-time sports bettor and is now a NFL, College Football and Betting Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. Kawada was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, but now resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, after graduating from Butler University with a B.A. in sports media. Aside from football, Kawada is an avid combat sports and basketball bettor.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Bengals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Just one month after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-cincinnati-signs-desmond-ridder-joe-burrow-backup">signing his latest deal, Desmond Ridder</a> will return to the open market. The Cincinnati Bengals released the backup quarterback on Tuesday as part of their final roster cuts.</p><p>The Bengals signed Ridder in late July to compete with Jake Browning for their backup job. However, after appearing in all three preseason games, Ridder <a href="https://x.com/NFL/status/1960353737181937829" rel="noopener">received his walking papers</a> on Tuesday morning, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported.</p><p>Ridder signed with the Bengals after spending the 2024 season with the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders. He began the year on the Cardinals’ practice squad after losing the backup quarterback battle to Clayton Tune before being poached by the injury-riddled Raiders.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-desmond-ridder-start-for-las-vegas-if-aidan-oconnell-cant-play">Las Vegas gave Ridder a chance at redemption</a> in Week 14. He got a chance to start with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell sidelined but failed to impress, ending the game with 208 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.</p><p>Ridder returned to the bench the following week and attempted just two more passes the rest of the season. The Raiders opted not to re-sign him at the end of the year.</p><p>Ridder, 25, will now seek his fifth team in the last four years. Since entering the league as the Atlanta Falcons’ third-round pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Ridder has never been able to find his footing and continues to bounce from one opportunity to the next.</p><h2><b>Bengals’ Desmond Ridder release sets 2025 quarterback room</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Zac-Taylor-trying-new-preseason-strategy-with-Joe-Burrow-other-stars.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Without Ridder on the roster, Browning is set to return as Joe Burrow’s backup. Browning is entering his third season with the team since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2023.</p><p>The Bengals took a unique approach with their quarterbacks in the offseason, particularly with their eyes on Browning and Ridder competing for the backup job. Head coach <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-zac-taylor-reveals-joe-burrow-preseason-gameplan-2025-campaign">Zac Taylor opted to give Burrow extensive playing</a> time throughout the preseason as he attempted to get his offense into a rhythm. The strategy did not provide Ridder much field time, suggesting that they were confident in Browning.</p><p>Since their Super Bowl appearance in 2021, Cincinnati has been plagued by slow starts to the season. Many of their issues have been attributed to repeated offseason holdouts, which have hampered training camp. Taylor attempted to combat the issue in 2025 by having his starters play in the preseason for the first time during his tenure.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bengals release backup QB Desmond Ridder

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-cincinnati-signs-desmond-ridder-joe-burrow-backup');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bengals sign Desmond Ridder as Joe Burrow backup');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Desmond-Ridder_868436.jpg"><figcaption>Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Bengals sign Desmond Ridder as Joe Burrow backup</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-20T10:52:00-07:00">July 20th, 10:52am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-20T10:52:00-07:00">July 20th, 10:52am</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Bengals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Cincinnati Bengals are ready to make up for lost time in 2025. Cincinnati played well in 2024, but they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-zac-taylor-brutally-honest-lou-anarumo-firing-missing-playoffs">could not get the help they needed</a> to make the playoffs. The Bengals just added some Joe Burrow insurance before the start of training camp this week.</p><p>The Bengals have signed former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder on Sunday, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Ridder will <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1946976835364954320" rel="noopener">compete for a backup job</a> behind Joe Burrow.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/nfl-draft-news-falcons-select-desmond-ridder-with-no-74-pick">Ridder was drafted in the second round</a> of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Falcons. Atlanta gave Ridder the starting job in 2023, but he failed to impress. Ridder logged 2,836 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games played in 2023.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/grading-desmond-ridder-rondale-moore-trade-cardinals-falcons">Falcons traded Ridder to the Cardinals</a> last offseason in exchange for Rondale Moore. Ridder ended up losing a training camp battle with Clayton Tune and was cut by the Cardinals before returning to their practice squad.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-desmond-ridder-emotional-new-career-chapter">Raiders eventually signed Ridder</a> off the Cardinals’ practice squad after injuries to Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. But he only played in two games and failed to impress Antonio Pierce’s coaching staff.</p><p>Now he will join Jake Browning and Logan Woodside in Cincinnati’s quarterback room. The three backups will be competing for one, maybe two, roster spots.</p><p>Bengals fans now have a reason to pay attention to the team’s backup quarterback position during the preseason.</p><h2><b>Trey Hendrickson, Shemar Stewart still away from Bengals heading into training camp</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Bengals-news-Orlando-Brown-Jr-2.jpg"><figcaption>Scott Galvin-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Bengals do not seem willing to budge on their two important contract disputes.</p><p>Cincinnati’s training camp will begin on Wednesday, but neither Trey Hendrickson nor <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-cincinnati-final-unsigned-1st-round-pick">first-round rookie Shemar Stewart</a> have signed a new contract with the team.</p><p>As a result, Bengals fans should expect both players to hold out of training camp.</p><p>Hendrickson is seeking a big-money contract extension after back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons. He has threatened to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-rumors-how-serious-is-trey-hendrickson-about-sitting-out-season">sit out the entire 2025 season</a> if his demands are not met. Meanwhile, Stewart is feuding with the Bengals over language about guaranteed money in his rookie contract.</p><p>The Bengals should feel pressure to sign one or both players before Wednesday’s soft deadline. It will be interesting to see if any last-second deals get done over the next two days.</p><p>If not, this story could haunt the Bengals all the way through training camp.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bengals sign Desmond Ridder as Joe Burrow backup

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/raiders-news-huge-desmond-ridder-decision');   ga('set', 'title', 'Raiders make huge Desmond Ridder decision');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Las-Vegas-makes-huge-Desmond-Ridder-decision.jpg"></figure><h1>Raiders make huge Desmond Ridder decision</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-28T13:47:40-08:00">February 28th, 1:47pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-28T13:48:27-08:00">February 28th, 1:48pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/nfl-rumors-matthew-stafford-turned-down-money-raiders-giants-return-rams">missing out on acquiring Matthew Stafford</a>, the Las Vegas Raiders are officially bidding farewell to another quarterback. The team told Desmond Ridder that it will <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1895569415158321423" rel="noopener">not tender him as a restricted free agent</a>, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, making him available to sign with any team on the open market.</p><p>The Raiders are searching for solid answers at QB, and they clearly do not consider the 2022 third-round draft pick to be one of them. Ridder, who spent the first two years of his professional career with the Atlanta Falcons, completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 458 yards while throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions in six games for Vegas last season.</p><p>The two-time AAC Offensive Player of the Year helped lead the Cincinnati Bearcats to their most prosperous stretch in program history, culminating with an appearance in the 2021 College Football Playoff. That success has not translated to the NFL, however. Ridder has struggled with accuracy and in the red zone, throwing just 16 TDs to 14 picks in 25 NFL games. But he still might have some value to offer.</p><p>The 25-year-old can catch on with another team as a backup or third-string quarterback. He has plenty of experience playing the position and can potentially serve as a useful presence in a QB room. Ridder should find another place of employment in the near future. What will the Raiders do, though?</p><h2><b>Raiders have much to figure out this offseason</b></h2><p>With NFL icon Tom Brady in the owner’s box and Super Bowl-winning head coach Pete Carroll manning the sidelines, fans expect the team to at least carry an air of competence. That is definitely a reasonable bar to set, but without a viable signal-caller, dysfunction can creep up really quick. While Aidan O’Connell has flashed glimpses of being a capable transition QB, he probably does not fit the franchise’s long-term vision.</p><p>Matthew Stafford was potentially a temporary bandage the Raiders could have slapped on the depth chart, but he agreed to a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-rams/rams-news-matthew-stafford-end-trade-speculation-agree-restructured-contract">restructured contract with the Los Angeles Rams</a> on Friday. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/russell-wilson-among-raiders-potential-targets-after-missing-on-matthew-stafford">Russell Wilson is a possible contingency plan</a>. At the very least, the front office will pursue someone who can compete for the starting job in training camp.</p><p>The No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which could be used to acquire Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, looks more intriguing to fans by the day. There are variables that are beyond the team’s control, however.</p><p>The quarterback situation might be in a fragile state going into the 2025-26 campaign. All Las Vegas can do right now is make decisions based on its current roster. Allowing Desmond Ridder to test free agency fits that criteria.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Raiders make huge Desmond Ridder decision

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/raiders-antonio-pierce-desmond-ridder-stay-defiant-after-ugly-loss-to-falcons');   ga('set', 'title', 'Raiders’ Antonio Pierce, Desmond Ridder stay defiant after ugly loss to Falcons');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Antonio-Pierce-Desmond-Ridder-stay-defiant-after-ugly-loss-to-Falcons.jpg"></figure><h1>Raiders’ Antonio Pierce, Desmond Ridder stay defiant after ugly loss to Falcons</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-17T07:29:30-08:00">December 17th, 7:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-17T07:29:30-08:00">December 17th, 7:29am</time><address><a>Ryan Bologna</a>Ryan Bologna is an author at ClutchPoints. He studied journalism and communication at UConn.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Las Vegas Raiders dropped to 2-12 on the season with a 15-9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, and despite the losses piling up, head coach Antonio Pierce and quarterback Desmond Ridder said the team is <a href="https://x.com/VicTafur/status/1868892966989053996" rel="noopener">still working hard</a> to get that third win on the season.</p><p>“These guys are not budging. I am not budging,” Pierce said, via Vic Tafur of The Athletic. “We’ll keep chopping wood and at some point the damn thing will break and go our way.”</p><p>Pierce is possibly coaching to keep his job in 2025, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/raiders-news-mark-davis-reveals-tom-brady-have-huge-voice-las-vegas-qb-search">as the Raiders could decide</a> to clean house if this season keeps going this way in the final three games. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/raiders-news-desmond-ridder-start-vs-falcons-aidan-oconnell-injury">The Raiders are in play</a> for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it could be argued that they should reset in the front office and at head coach. Ridder, who took over the starting role this week due to Aidan O’Connell’s injury, <a href="https://x.com/VicTafur/status/1868890034000236744" rel="noopener">echoed the sentiment</a> of Pierce.</p><p>“It’s tough being in the position we are in,” Ridder said, via Tafur. “We’re just searching… searching for a win, searching for positive energy. We fight every single week. But we just keep saying that we fight and nothing is happening where we can go push over the edge and get a win.”</p><p>Ridder was looking for a win against his former team, but was unable to do so after a final drive came up short. It is unknown whether or not he will play this coming week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, depending on O’Connell’s status.</p><h2><b>How will Raiders finish 2024 season?</b></h2><p>As mentioned before, the Raiders will play the Jaguars this upcoming week. That is likely their best chance for a win before the end of the season. It will be interesting to see the type of effort they come out with. Both teams are banged up in multiple areas.</p><p>Following the game against the Jaguars, the Raiders have games against the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers to close the season. The Saints game could be winnable for Los Angeles, given that Derek Carr is likely to miss that game due to injury. The Chargers game on paper is the toughest, but they could be resting starters at that point, depending on what the playoff scenarios are.</p><p>It will be interesting to see how the Raiders close the season, if there are any changes made to the front office and coaching staff, and where they end up picking in the 2025 NFL Draft.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024 SEASON STATS
PASSING YDS	PASSING TDS	INTERCEPTIONS	POSITION RANK
458	2	2	-

2024 SEASON STATS
PASSING YDS	PASSING TDS	INTERCEPTIONS	POSITION RANK
458	2	2	-

Desmond
Ridder

2022 Projected vs Actual Pts

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