THE Cincinnati Bengals have signed Desmond Ridder to provide competition for superstar quarterback Joe Burrow.
The 25-year-old was a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, where he failed to live up to expectations.
Desmond Ridder has been signed by the Cincinnati Bengals, according to reports[/caption]
Joe Burrow is the No1 starter for the Bengals, but has had some tough injury problems[/caption]
He went on to join the Las Vegas Raiders, but again, could not cement down the starting QB spot in Sin City.
According to the NFL Network, he is now linking up the Bengals to provide cover and put pressure on Burrow.
The Cincinnati quarterback was a standout last season, playing in all 17 games of a historic year for him but disappointing for the team.
He led the league with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, but could not help his side from falling to a 9-8 record.
However, Burrow did miss seven games the year before that with a wrist injury, showing the need for a competent backup.
Ridder could be asked to come in if the Bengals’ worst fears come true and their star man is struck by another problem.
He made 19 appearances for the Falcons, with 17 starts.
The QB averaged 186.5 passing yards per game along with 14 touchdowns.
However, he was intercepted 12 times during those contests.
His running game was impressive, with five rushing scores for the Falcons.
The Bengals also have Jake Browning and Payton Thorne in their quarterback room.
Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in March 2024.
However, he never played a game for the team.
They wavered him before he joined up with their practice squad in August, last year.
NFL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
(All times ET)
Thur 4 Sept
8.20 pm – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Fri 5 Sept
8pm – Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
Sun 7 Sept
1pm – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
1pm – Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
1pm – Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
1pm – Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots
1pm – Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
1pm – Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
1pm – New York Giants at Washington Commanders
1pm – Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
4.05 pm – Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
4.05 pm – San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
4.25 pm – Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
4.25 pm – Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
8.20 pm – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Mon 8 Sept
8.15 pm – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
He was then signed by the Raiders in October.
Ridder had 458 passing yards and two touchdowns in six games.
He also had two balls intercepted, but only started one tie.
The Bengals missed the playoffs last year for the second season in a row.
They lost their first three games of the 2024 NFL season.
However, Burrow looked sensational at times and is hoping for similar this year.
They started their season with a Week 1 fixtures against the Cleveland Browns.
