Departed Vikings QB Works Out for Jets
Remember the Desmond Ridder era for the Minnesota Vikings? It lasted two and a half weeks. And after concluding that pit stop, Ridder will now hope to latch onto the New York Jets’ practice squad.
He didn’t last long for the Vikings, but one quarterback is hoping to find employment just a few weeks after departing the Twin Cities in a short stint.
With one passer, Tyrod Taylor, evidently still hobbled, Ridder could get a look in New York.
Jets Audition Former Vikings QB Desmond Ridder
The Jets might use him exactly the way the Vikings did — emergency depth.
Ridder Tries Out in New York
Ridder could have a new NFL address by the end of the week.
JetsXFactor‘s Connor Long wrote Thursday, “With backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor battling a knee injury, the New York Jets hosted a pair of experienced signal-callers for workouts on Wednesday. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the team brought in veteran quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Dorian Thompson-Robinson for evaluations at their Florham Park facility.”
“Ridder, 26, was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft and has also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings throughout his professional career.”
Pitted against the man known as DTR, Ridder hopes he gets the nod.
A Pit Stop in Minneapolis
Minnesota signed Ridder on September 16th, a couple of days after Carson Wentz suffered an injury in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Most assumed Ridder would remain until J.J. McCarthy’s return to the starting lineup, which will occur this weekend at the Detroit Lions.
That theory was wrong.
Minnesota released Ridder on October 4th, and the following day, Wentz tore his left labrum in a game in London against the Cleveland Browns. Wentz later powered through the injury, finally succumbing to the pain after a Week 8 beatdown at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Ridder never played a regular season snap in Minnesota. Just a two-week insurance policy.
Ridder’s Resume to Date
Before September 16th and Minnesota’s practice squad theft of Ridder, the man worked for the Cincinnati Bengals, attached to Zac Taylor’s practice squad. He has started 18 games in the NFL — split between the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders — and those teams have combined for an 8-10 (.444) record when he’s under center.
He’ll take off and run a few times a game, usually around three attempts, showing some mobility but nothing that scares a defense or changes how teams scheme him.
Across his career, Ridder’s stat line lands right in the middle — 16 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and about 160 passing yards per outing. He’s not reckless, but he’s not dynamic either. Ridder sits in that purgatory of quarterbacks who need everything else to be perfect — a sturdy line, a killer run game, receivers who separate — just to hover around league average. He’s competent, steady, and occasionally flashes, but “pretty damn average” still sums it up best.
This is Ridder’s evolving destination resume in the pros:
- Atlanta Falcons (2022–2023)
- Arizona Cardinals (2024)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2024)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2025)
- Minnesota Vikings (2025)
Role in New York
If Ridder gets the nod for a practice squad contract, he’d serve as the QB4 behind Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook. New York is enjoying its bye this week, and it might already know that Taylor’s injury will persist beyond this week. Hence, the Ridder workout.
Just like the Vikings, Ridder would be in the Jets’ orbit as a “break in case of emergency” contingency plan.
Jets-Themed Media on the QB Situation
The Jet Press‘ Justin Fried dabbled into the Taylor situation this week: “Jets head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters after Sunday’s game that Taylor and Fields were initially competing in practice to determine the team’s Week 8 starting quarterback, but that Taylor didn’t feel comfortable enough to play in the game.”
“Glenn did not elaborate further on Taylor’s injury, but the belief was that it was not overly serious. However, the Jets are now looking at external options, presumably in case Taylor misses time due to his injury. Undrafted rookie Brady Cook was elevated from the practice squad to serve as the team’s backup quarterback for the second time this season on Sunday.”
New York hosts Cleveland for its next game on November 9th — a winnable showdown.
“Cook is the only other quarterback under contract with the Jets at the moment. It’s possible the Jets are simply using their bye week to assess potential emergency quarterback options, but with Taylor nursing the knee injury at the moment, the timing is certainly notable,” Fried added.
“This is a situation that bears monitoring over the coming days. The Jets may be preparing to add a new quarterback to their roster.”
Ridder turned 26 in August.
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