The Arizona Cardinals have released quarterback Desmond Ridder as part of the NFL's cut-down day, leaving the team with only two signal-callers on the active roster.
The Arizona Cardinals have bid farewell to quarterback Desmond Ridder, waiving the former third-round pick on Tuesday in order to trim their roster down to the NFL-mandated 53 players.
Ridder, who was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft, spent the past season in Arizona after being traded to the Cardinals in exchange for a conditional 2023 draft pick. However, he failed to make an impact in the desert, spending the majority of the 2022 season on the practice squad.
Arizona Cardinals Drop Quarterback Desmond Ridder
With the Cardinals opting to waive Ridder, the team is now left with just two quarterbacks on the active roster: Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy. Murray, the Cardinals' starting quarterback, is entering his fifth season in the NFL and is expected to be the team's unquestioned starter in 2023.
McCoy, meanwhile, is a veteran quarterback who has served as Murray's backup for the past two seasons. The 36-year-old has played in 83 NFL games, including 33 starts, and has thrown for 6,885 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 32 interceptions throughout his career.
The Cardinals also have two quarterbacks on their practice squad: Jarrett Guarantano and Anthony Gordon. Guarantano, a former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback, has yet to make his NFL debut. Gordon, meanwhile, spent the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos before being signed by the Cardinals in August.
The Cardinals' decision to waive Ridder comes as the team prepares for the upcoming NFL season, which is set to begin on September 11th. The Cardinals will open their season on the road against the Tennessee Titans.
