Quarterback Carousel in Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings have moved swiftly to address their quarterback depth, signing free agent Desmond Ridder to their 53-man roster. The move, confirmed on Tuesday, comes in the wake of a significant injury to starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is sidelined with a high right ankle sprain.
McCarthy sustained the injury during the Vikings’ 22-6 Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. According to reports from digitaltrendstoday.com, the team’s top-10 draft pick is expected to miss between two and four weeks. The Vikings have opted not to place him on injured reserve, signaling optimism for his return within that timeframe. In his absence, veteran quarterback Carson Wentz is set to take over as the starter for the upcoming Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ridder’s Role and Journey
The decision to sign Ridder directly to the active roster, rather than the practice squad, underscores the team’s desire for an experienced backup. This provides a veteran presence behind Wentz, preventing the team from having to rely solely on undrafted rookie Max Brosmer should another injury occur. Ridder is expected to compete with Brosmer for the primary backup role while McCarthy recovers.
Ridder, 26, has had a whirlwind career since being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His journey has included stops with multiple franchises:
- Atlanta Falcons (2022-2023): Started 17 games over two seasons.
- Arizona Cardinals (2024): Acquired via trade but was released before the season.
- Las Vegas Raiders (2024): Signed from the Cardinals’ practice squad, appearing in six games.
- Cincinnati Bengals (2025): Spent the preseason with the team before being released during final roster cuts.
Throughout his 25 NFL appearances (18 starts), Ridder has completed 63.6% of his passes for 4,002 yards, with 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. A capable athlete, he has also added 293 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
An Ironic Twist Ahead of Week 3
Ridder’s arrival in Minnesota adds a fascinating layer of intrigue to their next matchup. The Vikings are scheduled to host the Cincinnati Bengals, the very team that released Ridder just a few weeks ago. His recent experience in the Bengals’ system could provide the Vikings’ coaching staff with valuable insider knowledge as they prepare for the game.
The connections don’t end there. The Bengals are also dealing with a major injury to their star quarterback, Joe Burrow, who is expected to miss at least three months with a turf toe injury. Stepping in as the Bengals’ starter is Jake Browning, who was waived by the Vikings three times in his career. Furthermore, Cincinnati’s new backup quarterback is Brett Rypien, who was also with the Vikings during the 2025 offseason.
This confluence of events sets the stage for a compelling Week 3 contest, where former teammates will face off under unexpected circumstances. For the Vikings, the focus remains on navigating the coming weeks with Wentz at the helm, supported by their newest quarterback, Desmond Ridder, who has been given another opportunity to prove his value in the league.
