Desmond Ridder’s journey with the Atlanta Falcons has reached its conclusion after two seasons. Jonathan Jones, a leading NFL insider, has revealed that the Falcons are in the process of finalizing a trade that will see Ridder move to Arizona. In exchange, the Cardinals will send Rondale Moore to Atlanta.
The Falcons found themselves in a position to trade Ridder after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract during free agency. With Cousins on board, it became clear that Ridder’s future with the Falcons was uncertain. His performance in the 2023 season did not help his case, leading to dissatisfaction from Falcons owner Arthur Blank regarding the quarterback situation. Blank’s announcement in January about letting the new coaching staff choose their starting quarterback was a clear indicator of Ridder’s precarious position with the team.
Ridder faced a challenging year, being benched twice throughout the season. Despite these setbacks, he managed to start in 13 games, with the Falcons recording 6 wins and 7 losses under his leadership. However, his inability to gel with coach Arthur Smith and capitalize on the offensive options available led to a disappointing tenure with the Falcons, marked by 14 touchdown passes and 21 turnovers.
Now, let’s examine the trade’s impact on both teams involved.
For the Falcons, acquiring Rondale Moore represents a significant win. Given Ridder’s uncertain future with the team, trading him for a player of Moore’s caliber is a remarkable achievement. Moore is set to join an already potent Falcons offense, featuring Drake London and Darnell Mooney. With his consistent performance over three NFL seasons, Moore’s addition could pose a significant threat to opposing defenses, especially with the attention London and Mooney will attract.
**Atlanta trade grade: A**
On the other side, the Cardinals have addressed their need for a backup quarterback by acquiring Ridder. While losing Moore, especially with the potential departure of Marquise Brown in free agency, is a tough pill to swallow, Ridder’s addition strengthens their quarterback lineup behind Kyler Murray.
**Arizona trade grade: C+**
This trade marks a new chapter for both Ridder and Moore, with each team addressing specific needs through this exchange.