Desmond Ridder Signs With Bengals For Backup Quarterback Role

Desmond Ridder, the former University of Cincinnati quarterback who led the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff in 2021, has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as a veteran backup quarterback. Entering his fourth NFL season, Ridder has played in 25 games with 18 starts for the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders, accumulating over 4,000 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and five rushing scores. He joins a quarterback room with Joe Burrow and Jake Browning, the latter having been the Bengals' primary backup until Ridder's arrival; Logan Woodside was waived to make roster space. Ridder's signing is notable as he returns to the city where he excelled in college, with an indirect connection to Burrow, who chose LSU over Cincinnati, opening the starting quarterback spot for Ridder. In addition, the Bengals signed defensive tackles McTelvin Agim and Taven Bryan, plus center Andrew Raym, to bolster depth amid uncertainties with rookie Shemar Stewart and potential holdout from sack leader Trey Hendrickson. Bengals veterans are set to report Tuesday, with the first practice on Wednesday, as the team prepares for the upcoming season.