In a surprising twist to his winding NFL journey, quarterback Desmond Ridder is set to join the Minnesota Vikings. The former third-round draft pick out of Atlanta, who has struggled to find his footing, will now step in as the Vikings navigate quarterback challenges following J.J. McCarthy's ankle injury.

Ridder's career has taken him to five different teams since March 2024. After being traded from the Falcons to the Cardinals for wide receiver Rondale Moore, Ridder’s opportunity in Arizona was short-lived as he was waived shortly after. He later joined the Raiders off the Cardinals' practice squad, where he even made a starting appearance. However, with the Raiders undergoing another front-office shakeup, Ridder was deemed expendable.

Most recently, he signed with the Bengals, yet failed to secure a spot on their 53-man roster following training camp. Despite boasting 18 starts in the NFL, Ridder hasn’t made a strong case for himself, with his previous team, the Falcons, frequently benching him for Taylor Heinicke as they navigated their own quarterback strategy.

Now, Ridder joins the Vikings as their depth chart faces uncertainty. With McCarthy recovering, Minnesota will rely on rookie Max Brosmer and the newly acquired Carson Wentz, who recently came on board after the Vikings traded Sam Howell to the Eagles.

As Wentz prepares to lead the charge against the Bengals in Week 3, questions loom about McCarthy's timeline for recovery. With matchups against the Steelers and Browns on the horizon, the Vikings may opt to hold McCarthy out until after their Week 6 bye, leaving Ridder with yet another opportunity to prove himself in the league.

Despite the tumultuous road Ridder has traveled, his signing signals the Vikings’ resolve to bolster their quarterback room amidst these challenges. Will he finally find a stable home in Minnesota, or is this yet another chapter in a story of missed potential?