With the primary goal of becoming serious contenders in the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals are working hard to build a roster capable of rising to the occasion. Joe Burrow, the undisputed leader of the team, will have a new addition in the quarterback room heading into the upcoming NFL season.
According to the latest reports, joining Zac Taylorâs team is none other than Desmond Ridder, a quarterback who previously gained starting experience during his time with the Atlanta Falcons.
The news was confirmed by NFL insider Tom Pelissero, who announced the move on his official X account (formerly Twitter), highlighting this intriguing addition by the Bengals ahead of the upcoming season.
âFormer #Falcons starting QB Desmond Ridder is signing with the #Bengals, per source. Some experienced competition behind Joe Burrow,â the insider reported.
Desmond Ridder #10 of the Las Vegas Raiders leaves the field after the Raidersâ 15-9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada
Ridder entered the league after being selected by the Falcons with the 74th overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He then had a brief stint with the Arizona Cardinals before moving on to the Las Vegas Raiders. Interestingly, his final college stop was with the Cincinnati Bearcats.
see also
Trey Hendrickson might threat the Bengals, Joe Burrow with a tough decision amid Shemar Stewartâs holdout
Becoming a contender
The Cincinnati Bengals are set on dominating the AFC North this coming season. Joe Burrow now has Desmond Ridder as a reliable backup, strengthening their quarterback room. Crucially, stars JaâMarr Chase and Tee Higgins are staying, ensuring their offense remains explosive.
However, the situation with defensive end Trey Hendrickson needs resolution. His contract talks are ongoing, and his presence is vital for their pass rush and overall defense. Locking him in is key to maintaining a strong unit against tough divisional rivals.
Ultimately, the Bengalsâ success hinges on Burrowâs health and the defense stepping up. With their elite receiving corps and a solid defense, if they can finalize Hendricksonâs situation, they are primed for an AFC North title run and a deep playoff push.
The first tests for Cincinnati
Getting off to a strong start will be crucial for the Bengals, which is why theyâll need to overcome these first five challenges of the upcoming season to stay on the right track:
- @ Cleveland Browns, September 7th
- vs Jacksonville Jaguars, September 14th
- @ Minnesota Vikings, September 21st
- @ Denver Broncos, September 29th
- vs Detroit Lions, October 5th
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