15 hours ago
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The Bengals have signed quarterback Desmond Ridder, according to a report.
Ridder, 25, was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and has played for the Falcons and Raiders.
And he's now joining Cincinnati to provide some cover behind quarterback Joe Burrow, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported.
Burrow played in all 17 games last season and led the league with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns.
However, he missed seven games the season prior with a wrist injury and Ridder could be asked to step in if Burrow is sidelined at all in 2025.
In 19 games with the Falcons after they drafted him (17 starts), Ridder averaged 186.5 passing yards per contest and threw a total of 14 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
Joe Burrow led the NFL in both passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2024
And he could be backed up by Desmond Ridder after the Bengals signed him on Sunday
He also has some playmaking ability on the ground, as he rushed for five scores in Atlanta.
The Bengals also have quarterbacks Jake Browning and Payton Thorne on their depth chart behind Burrow.
Ridder was traded to the Cardinals in March 2024 but never played a game for Arizona, as they waived him before stashing him on their practice squad in August.
He was then signed by the Raiders in October, and totaled 458 passing yards two touchdowns and two picks in six games (one start).
The Bengals missed the playoffs last year for the second season in a row as they went 9-8 after an 0-3 start.
It was a difficult year for Burrow personally as well as the quarterback had his home burglarized.
Nonetheless, the team's high-powered offense led by him and Ja'Marr Chase will look to help the team back into the postseason for the first time since their AFC Championship Game loss in 2022.
The Bengals will begin their season at the Browns in Week 1.
