Desmond Ridder

Desmond Ridder: The QB Who Couldn't Find a Home - Waived by the Cardinals!

Desmond Ridder's brief stint with the Cardinals comes to an end as he gets waived on cut-down day. What’s next for the QB?

In a surprising turn of events, quarterback Desmond Ridder has been waived by the Arizona Cardinals on cut-down day, just months after being acquired from the Atlanta Falcons. The Cardinals had high hopes for Ridder when they traded for him earlier this offseason, but it appears that those aspirations have fizzled out as the team decided to go in a different direction. The announcement was made per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport when the Cardinals trimmed their roster down to the final 53 players.

Desmond Ridder, once a shining star at the University of Cincinnati, was lauded for his performance that led the Bearcats to their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2021. However, his transition to the NFL has been a rollercoaster ride. Last season, Ridder started for the Atlanta Falcons but struggled to find consistent success. His release from the Cardinals marks another chapter in a journey that has been filled with ups and downs, leaving fans wondering what went wrong in Arizona.

With Ridder now officially a free agent, the spotlight has shifted to Clayton Tune, who has been chosen to take on the backup quarterback role in Arizona. Tune’s promotion raises questions about the future of the Cardinals’ quarterback position and whether they will look to sign another QB or remain committed to the current lineup. For Ridder, this moment could be a blessing in disguise, paving the way for an opportunity elsewhere where he might find the fresh start he desperately needs.

As Ridder looks for a new team, it’s important to reflect on his college success and the expectations placed upon him. The young quarterback’s talent hasn’t disappeared—it might just need to be nurtured in a different environment to flourish. But here’s a fun fact: did you know that Ridder was the first Bearcats quarterback selected in the NFL Draft since the legendary Greg Cook in 1969? As he steps into free agency, one can only hope that he finds a team willing to take a chance on him and restore his path toward greatness!