Raiders Rumors: Desmond Ridder Won't Get RFA Tender Amid Russell Wilson, Darnold Links

The Las Vegas Raiders informed restricted free-agent quarterback Desmond Ridder that they will non-tender him Friday, thus making him an unrestricted free agent, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Ridder, 25, was originally a third-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons out of the University of Cincinnati in 2022.

The Falcons traded Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals in March 2024, and he spent time on the Cards' practice squad before the Raiders signed him in October.

Over his two seasons in Atlanta, Ridder appeared in 19 games and made 17 starts, going 8-9, while completing 64.0 percent of his passes for 3,544 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 257 yards and five scores.

After the Raiders signed Ridder off the Cardinals' practice squad, he appeared in six games for Vegas and made one start, completing 61.2 percent of his passes for 458 yards, two touchdowns and two picks.

In his only start with the Raiders, which was a 15-9 loss to the Falcons, Ridder went 23-of-39 for 208 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

The Raiders temporarily turned to Ridder last season amid injuries and inconsistent play from quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell.

While Minshew and O'Connell are both under contract for next season, the quarterback position could be in for an overhaul after Vegas went 4-13 last season.

The Raiders have a new regime in place with head coach Pete Carroll, general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady, which is a combination that often goes hand in hand with a new quarterback.

Las Vegas has the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, so it could potentially land its new franchise quarterback in the form of Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders.

The Raiders have also been linked to some of the best available free agents at the quarterback position.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Raiders are expected to look into Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

As for Ridder, he will likely hope to catch on with a new team this offseason in a backup capacity.