Reactions: Desmond Ridder, former Cincinnati Bearcats QB, traded to Arizona Cardinals
On Wednesday, the Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to be the team's new starting quarterback.
On Thursday, the Falcons traded former starting QB Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals for receiver Rondale Moore.
Ridder, who joins Kyler Murray and Clayton Tune among current Arizona QBs, helped the Cincinnati Bearcats to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in his fourth and final season as UC's quarterback. He was a third-round pick of the Falcons in the 2022 NFL draft.
Ridder has played in 19 games over two NFL seasons with 17 starts, completing 64 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, adding five rushing TDs. Former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith benched Ridder after naming him the Falcons' starter before the 2023 season.
Former Cincinnati Bengals great Boomer Esiason said last October that Ridder was holding back Atlanta.
Reactions via Twitter/X to the trade:
We have agreed to terms on a trade for WR Rondale Moore from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for QB Desmond Ridder, pending physicals
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) March 14, 2024
We have acquired QB Desmond Ridder via trade with the Falcons.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) March 14, 2024
NFL league sources tell me Atlanta Falcons on verge of trading quarterback Desmond Ridder -
Wish Ridder the best.. handled everything with class and hope he finds success with this fresh start— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) March 14, 2024
Desmond Ridder headed to Arizona in a trade for WR Rondale Moore!
Writing was on the wall for Ridder which handled a tough situation as a real Pro!!
In turn you get another weapon for Kirk Cousins!! pic.twitter.com/5fdEIjZKCM— DjShockley (@DjShockley3) March 14, 2024
Desmond Ridder still has a legit chance to be a productive NFL player. There were signs across several games in which he showed flashes. He has a strong arm, solid running ability and is a great leader. Arizona is a good spot for him to sit back & learn how to process the game
— Chris Thomas - Turtle (@CThomasRadio) March 14, 2024
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: Immediate reactions to the Desmond Ridder/Rondale Moore trade that broke on air. pic.twitter.com/1TR0PEqmjl
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2024
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Desmond Ridder, former Cincinnati QB, traded by Atlanta to Arizona