Desmond Ridder’s NFL journey has been anything but predictable. After a strong college career at Cincinnati, he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. Things didn’t exactly go as planned in Atlanta, though, as he showed some flashes but struggled to stay consistent. In March 2024, the Arizona Cardinals traded for him, but his stint didn’t last long. In October 2024, the Las Vegas Raiders called him, giving Ridder another chance to prove himself.
Ridder’s signing with the Raiders came at a tough time. The team was sitting at 2-9, dealing with quarterback struggles and injuries. On October 22, 2024, the Raiders brought him on with a one-year deal worth $985,000. It’s a low-risk move for the team—no long-term commitment, just an opportunity for Ridder to show what he can do. For him, this is a fresh start, a chance to turn things around in a new city.
The terms of Ridder’s contract are pretty simple. He’s set to make a base salary of $601,944, and his cap hit matches that number. The deal has no guaranteed money, meaning he’ll have to earn his spot. While his salary may seem modest, it gives Ridder the chance to prove himself without the pressure of a huge financial commitment hanging over him.
As of late 2024, according to Spotrac, Ridder has earned about $4.1 million in his career. Before his one-year deal with the Raiders, he signed a four-year rookie contract with the Falcons worth $5.36 million. Unfortunately, he didn’t quite live up to expectations, so he didn’t get the payday some other quarterbacks might’ve. Now, he has another shot with the Raiders, but it’s still unclear what comes next after this season.
Desmond Ridder Has Got Another Opportunity With The Raiders, And A Lot Is On The Line
Desmond Ridder, 25, is a 6’3”, 207-pound quarterback with three years of NFL experience. He wears #10 for the Raiders and, in the 2024 regular season, has thrown for 447 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a 61.4% completion rate. While his numbers are far from stellar, Ridder has played five games in 2024, rushing for 36 yards and throwing 2 interceptions. His 73.7 passer rating shows promise, but he’s still trying to prove himself as a reliable starter in the league. Over his career, Ridder has a 63.7% completion rate, with 3,991 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in 24 games.
Ridder’s career stats also show that he has some dual-threat potential, rushing for 293 yards and five touchdowns across 24 games. However, his biggest challenge has been consistency, with 51 sacks and turnovers, which have hindered his ability to take the next step. In 2023, he threw 12 interceptions and fumbled 12 times, which led to a bumpy start with the Falcons. Now, with the Raiders, Ridder needs to show that he can be more than just a backup and secure a spot as a starting quarterback moving forward.
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At 2-12, the Raiders turned to Desmond Ridder after Aidan O’Connell’s Week 14 injury. Ridder struggled to perform, highlighting ongoing issues with turnovers and consistency. O’Connell is expected back against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday. Ridder’s one-year deal offers a chance to prove himself, and only time will tell if he will be able to do so.
