Connect with us

Arizona Cardinals

Report: Cardinals to release Desmond Ridder after failing to win the backup quarterback job

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder throws in practice.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder (19) during practice at Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe, Ariz., on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.

The Cardinals continue to cut their roster down to 53 players, with a 1:00 P.M. MST deadline coming up fast. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reports that quarterback Desmond Ridder will be amongst those cuts.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Ridder, 24, was acquired for receiver Rondale Moore in an offseason trade with the Atlanta Falcons. The former Cincinnati standout struggled with a chance to start in Atlanta. That pattern continued in the preseason, as he lost the backup quarterback battle to Clayton Tune. Ridder completed just 20 of 35 passes for 230 yards, leading the Cardinals to just 12 points on 15 drives in the preseason.

His last play of the preseason put him in concussion protocol, as he took a high hit from Broncos outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman and knocked his head into the back of left tackle Christian Jones. Jones was also badly injured on the play, as Ridder rolled up on his left leg due to the force of the hit.

The Cardinals quarterback depth chart is Kyler Murray as the starter, with Clayton Tune presumably as the backup unless the team makes a move. With Arizona near the top of the waiver wire priority, they’ll have plenty of players to choose from the waiver wire. It’s possible they pick up a veteran who was released as part of cutdowns and bring him in as the backup with Tune sliding down to third string.

Related Content

Cardinals release 6 players to start cutdown to 53-man roster

Cardinals trade OLB to Chiefs for 7th-round pick

*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*

Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB

Burn City Radio

More in Arizona Cardinals