Falcons expected to trade Desmond Ridder

With Kirk Cousins coming in as the unquestioned Falcons starting quarterback, the team’s previous option is likely on his way out. After two seasons, the Falcons are preparing to trade Desmond Ridder, WSB’s Zach Klein reports.

No deal is imminent, but ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter adds the Falcons have been discussing Ridder with other teams and a trade is anticipated. Two seasons remain on the former third-round pick’s rookie contract.

Big-ticket QB additions often lead to the predecessor being shipped out. The Vikings let Case Keenum walk when they signed Cousins in 2018, while the Browns dealt Baker Mayfield months after acquiring Deshaun Watson — edging out the Falcons in those sweepstakes — two years ago. The Buccaneers did not install Jameis Winston as Tom Brady‘s backup. The Jets did not trade Zach Wilson last year, and they regretted it. Although Ridder would profile as a player who could slide into a backup role — his primary 2022 slot — the Falcons may have determined there is enough of a market to move him now.

The Raiders and Vikings acquired bridge starters, in Gardner Minshew and Sam Darnold, while the Steelers picked up Russell Wilson on the cheap. This would leave the Broncos as a potentially interested party, with only Jarrett Stidham under contract for 2024. But Ridder also would profile as a backup elsewhere.

The Falcons’ Cousins pursuit brought an about-face from the team. In explaining why the team was not interested in Lamar Jackson last year, Arthur Blank said he wanted to build a roster around a rookie contract at quarterback. At that point, Ridder served as that passer. The team anointed the Cincinnati alum early during the 2023 offseason and used him as a starter for much of the season. But Arthur Smith benched Ridder on multiple occasions, moving Taylor Heinicke into action. Heinicke’s two-year, $14M deal remains on Atlanta’s roster; it would seem the Falcons do not want both of them back.

Ridder ranked 26th in QBR last season, finishing with a 12-12 TD-INT ratio and a 7.3 yards-per-attempt number. The Falcons gave Ridder 17 total starts. Coming out of this season, word immediately surfaced the Falcons were aiming to upgrade at QB. Enter Cousins and another big contract. His rookie deal calls for $985K and $1.1M base salaries over the next two seasons.