Raiders Snag QB Desmond Ridder from Cardinals Practice Squad - A Gamble Worth Taking?
The Las Vegas Raiders have made a move to bolster their quarterback depth, snatching Desmond Ridder off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. It's a move that has left many scratching their heads, but could it be a shrewd gamble by the Raiders?
Ridder, the 74th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was a highly touted prospect coming out of Cincinnati. However, his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons was a mixed bag. He started in the final four games of the season, but his performance wasn't exactly eye-popping. He threw for just two touchdowns and three interceptions, and the Falcons went 1-3 in those starts.
So, why would the Raiders take a chance on a quarterback who didn't exactly set the league on fire in his first year? Well, the Raiders are in desperate need of a backup quarterback. With veteran starter Jimmy Garoppolo recovering from foot surgery, they're thin at the position. Brian Hoyer, the current backup, is 38 years old and hasn't started a game since 2019.
Adding Ridder gives them a young, potentially high-ceiling option to learn behind Garoppolo. He's got the athleticism and arm talent to be a successful NFL quarterback. Maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to develop under the tutelage of Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels.
Of course, this move is a bit of a risk. Ridder needs to prove he can be more than just a practice squad player. He needs to show that he can handle the pressure of being an NFL starting quarterback.
But hey, the Raiders have nothing to lose. If Ridder can develop into a solid backup or even a future starter, this could be a steal for Las Vegas. It's a low-risk, high-reward move that could pay off big time for the Raiders.
It'll be fascinating to see how Ridder fares in his new home. Can he take advantage of this opportunity and prove himself worthy of a starting job down the road? Only time will tell.