The Cincinnati Bengals are signing quarterback Desmond Ridder, who returns to the city after playing four seasons at the University of Cincinnati.

In six games (one start) for the Las Vegas Raiders last season, Ridder posted 458 passing yards and two touchdowns to two interceptions.

The 25-year-old has had mixed results in his career so far after being drafted in the third round in 2022. He went 8-9 as a starter with the Atlanta Falcons, throwing for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Atlanta traded Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals on March 14, 2024, before he was released and signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad in August.

Ridder has ties to Bengals head coach Zac Taylor from his days coaching college football. Taylor served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Cincinnati in 2016 and recruited Ridder to the school.

Entering his fourth year in the NFL, Ridder will compete with Jake Browning and rookie Payton Thorne for the backup spot behind Joe Burrow. The Bengals released quarterback Logan Woodside in a corresponding move.

–Field Level Media