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Reports: Vikings sign journeyman QB Desmond Ridder

Originally posted on Bring Me The News
By Jonathan Harrison | Last updated Sep 16, 2025 4:14 PM ET

With J.J. McCarthy out due to an ankle injury for the next several weeks, the Vikings are reportedly signing journeyman QB Desmond Ridder to fill out their QB room.

Ridder, 26, was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. During his two seasons in Atlanta, Ridder went 8-9 as a starter throwing for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, completing 64% of his passes.

After the Falcons signed former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins, Ridder was traded to the Cardinals. He was released following Arizona's training camp but ended up on the team's practice squad to begin the season. In October, the Raiders signed Ridder to be their backup for the remainder of the season.

Ridder appeared in six games for Las Vegas in 2024, starting just one, a Week 15 loss to the Falcons.

The #Vikings are signing QB Desmond Ridder to the 53-man roster, with JJ McCarthy suffering an ankle injury, per me and @TomPelissero. pic.twitter.com/nCsmmbSNg3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2025

Most recently, Ridder was on the Bengals roster during training camp but was cut as part of the team's final roster cuts. Minnesota plays Cincinnati on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Ridder is reportedly being signed to the Vikings' 53-man roster, which could potentially see him backup new starting QB Carson Wentz on Sunday. Currently, the Vikings have just Wentz and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer as their two healthy quarterbacks on the roster. Brosmer spent one year at the University of Minnesota before going to the NFL, where he impressed in Vikings training camp and earned a roster spot.

This article first appeared on Bring Me The News and was syndicated with permission.

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