The Las Vegas Raiders have signed Desmond Ridder from the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. This move comes after Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell fractured his thumb during the 20-15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7.
The Raiders are expected to place O’Connell on the injured reserve, and Ridder will join Gardner Minshew II in the team’s quarterback room.
Fans Mock Raiders for Signing Desmond Ridder
With their loss against the Rams, the Raiders are now 2-5 on the season. Their offense is averaging just 17.7 points per game, and Minshew threw three interceptions in Week 7 after he replaced O’Connell.
Signing Ridder is unlikely to improve things as the 25-year-old quarterback has failed to find his footing in the NFL. Before the start of the season, the Atlanta Falcons traded him to the Cardinals in exchange for Rondale Moore. The Cardinals then waived Ridder but later signed to their practice squad.
The majority of fans believe that the Raiders are officially tanking for a new quarterback, Shedeur Sanders. The Colorado quarterback has constantly been linked with the franchise, and given how the season has gone for them, they will be in touching distance of drafting him next year.
Here’s how the fans reacted to the Raiders signing Ridder:
Yea they tanking for Shaduer Sanders 😭
— 📺 TEXAN-TEA TV (@TexanTeaTv) October 21, 2024
“Raiders must be tryna just tank,” said another fan.
“The Raiders found a way to have an even WORSE QB situation,” added a fan.
Raiders think this will change things?😭 pic.twitter.com/BSlGcw8VNS
— 𝙄𝙘𝙚 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙮 ™ (@IceTrey8_) October 21, 2024
“They must really like someone at #1,” said another fan, hinting at the Raiders improving their chances of getting a high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Just go ahead and send [Maxx] Crosby to the Ravens,” added another fan amid the uncertainty around the defensive end’s future in Las Vegas.
WHY WOULD WE ADD AN EVEN WORSE QB THAN AOC AND MINSHEW https://t.co/zNhpiEVxSe
— coach (@Goon_Donovan23) October 21, 2024
The Falcons drafted Ridder in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In 19 games, he threw for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, completing 64% of his throws.
Atlanta moved on from him by signing Kirk Cousins in the free agency and drafting Michael Penix Jr.; Ridder is unlikely to start in Week 8 for the Raiders, but he will be an option to consider if Minshew continues to struggle.
Antonio Pierce Cools Off Tanking Rumors
Things have not looked good for the Raiders in Antonio Pierce’s first season as their head coach. They are 2-5 and have already traded away Davante Adams to the New York Jets.
Despite all that, Pierce recently dismissed the belief that the Raiders have started tanking for next year’s draft.
“There’s still a lot of football left. The season is not over. We’re not tanking,” Pierce said in his Monday press conference. “We’re not trying to lose games to do anything better for the future. Hell, we’re trying to be the best team we can, and right now, we’re not a good team.”
Las Vegas is currently on a three-game losing streak and will face the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. In their last meeting, the Raiders surprised everyone and came away with a 20-14 win at Arrowhead.
That win against the Chiefs on Christmas played a huge role in Pierce becoming the Raiders’ permanent head coach. He will hope that his team can pull off the same result on Sunday as the reigning Super Bowl champions will be without JuJu Smith-Schuster, Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, Isiah Pacheco, and Jaylen Watson.