CBS Sports: The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback gets a tryout with the Broncos.
The Las Vegas Raiders took a gamble and acquired Desmond Ridder off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad when they were coping with injuries to quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell.
After a while, he was given the opportunity to start against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15, but he struggled and threw two interceptions in the defeat. He has been waiting in free agency for months after the Raiders elected not to bring him back this summer.
Although no team is yet prepared to sign Ridder, one is considering him more closely. The Denver Broncos have invited Ridder to try out at their rookie minicamp, according to Mike Klis of 9News.
There will be plenty of veterans, including Ridder, among the 60 guys working out, but many will be newbies. Jarrett Stidham, a former Raiders backup quarterback, is already employed by the Broncos.
Ridder’s greatest chance is to outshine Sam Ehlinger, as the Broncos also have Bo Nix and Stidham. Denver may also want to start training camp with four quarterbacks on the roster.
The Falcons selected Ridder as a starter for the second season, but he hasn’t lived up to the hype. Nevertheless, he can create plays with his legs and is a good athlete at quarterback.
Stidham is a premium backup, but Nix is the Broncos’ clear favorite to start moving forward. For a player like Ridder, even spending a season on the bench in Denver could be advantageous because head coach Sean Payton is among the NFL’s top quarterback developers.
