There have been signings, contract extensions and a release so far into the NFL Free Agency period for the Arizona Cardinals, but they have completed yet another first since the window opened.
In an unexpected move, Arizona completed a trade that sent wide receiver Rondale Moore to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for quarterback Desmond Ridder.
Lead insider for NFL on CBS Jonathan Jones reported that the Falcons were constructing a deal with Arizona for Ridder earlier Thursday morning before the full details came out.
“The [Atlanta] Falcons are working on a trade that will send QB Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals,” Jones said. “The Cardinals are sending former second-round WR Rondale Moore to Atlanta.”
One-for-One
With the Falcons picking up free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Falcons decided to get some offensive weapons to surround him.
In the deal, the Falcons are getting a lightning-quick receiver who can be inconsistent.
A couple of years ago, Moore was selected as the 49th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Cardinals. He signed a four-year rookie contract soon after, and is still on this current contract.
The Purdue product played 39 games as a Cardinal, collecting 40 receptions for 1,201 yards and a touchdown each season he has been in the NFL (3).
Now with a new opportunity in a change of scenery, Moore will look to get more touches with the Falcons.
As for Ridder, he is heading to the Valley to presumably be Kyler Murray’s backup when needed.
The Kentucky native was with the Falcons for two seasons (2022-23) after being a third-round (74th overall) pick in the 2022 Draft.
Ridder played 19 games (17 starts) during his tenure in Atlanta. While with the Falcons, he completed 322-of-503 passes for 3,544 yards, and connected for 14 touchdowns. Atlanta was 8-9 when Ridder was their quarterback.
Behind Murray now, Ridder and Arizona’s other QB Clayton Tune will battle it out for snaps in 2024.
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