Raiders News: Raiders sign Desmond Ridder

According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, the Las Vegas Raiders are signing quarterback Desmond Ridder from the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad.

Given the news that Aidan O'Connell was placed on injured reserve earlier today with a broken thumb suffered in Sunday's 20-15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, it's no surprise that the Raiders added another quarterback to the active roster. However, it's a little shocking that Las Vegas went this route instead of promoting undrafted free agent Carter Bradley, who is currently on the practice squad.

Ridder has starting experience, having recorded 17 starts (19 total games) for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 and 2023. He compiled an 8-9 record while completing 64 percent of his passes for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also caught 69 carries for 257 yards and five touchdowns with the Falcons.

Atlanta drafted the University of Cincinnati product in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft in hopes of becoming the organization's quarterback of the future. However, the front office opted to trade him to Arizona this offseason, while Kirk Cousins ​​was signed in free agency and the club drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the draft last April.

Behind Kyler Murray, Ridder competed with Clayton Tune for the Cardinals' backup quarterback spot this summer. In the end, Tune won the job, which is why Ridder was on the practice squad available to the Raiders.

Depending on how quickly Ridder can grasp the playbook, he will likely have a chance to start in Las Vegas while O'Connell is out for the next four to six weeks. Gardner Minshew is the team's projected starter going forward, although Minshew lost the job to O'Connell before the Steelers game two weeks ago.

Ridder, who is just 25 years old and turns 26 in August, could also be viewed as a long-term solution for the Raiders under center. Those chances are slim, but he could get a chance to prove himself in the coming weeks as Las Vegas is currently in the market for the quarterback of the future.