With their playoff campaign on the line, the Green Bay Packers have moved to bolster their quarterback options, signing veteran Desmond Ridder to the active roster. This decisive action comes amidst ongoing uncertainty surrounding the fitness of their starting QB, Jordan Love, and his primary backup, Malik Willis, just days before a high-stakes NFC Wild Card showdown.
Injury Concerns Prompt Roster Shuffle
Jordan Love has not seen game action for nearly three weeks, having been knocked out of the Packers' previous encounter with their historic rivals, the Chicago Bears. As Green Bay prepares for a third meeting with Chicago this Saturday night, the health of their signal-caller remains a pivotal question.
Compounding the issue, backup quarterback Malik Willis has been managing injuries to his right shoulder and hamstring. Willis was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, casting significant doubt on his availability for the must-win playoff fixture. In a corresponding move, the Packers released third-string quarterback Clayton Tune to make room for Ridder.
Who is Desmond Ridder?
Desmond Ridder brings four years of NFL experience to Wisconsin. The quarterback was a standout at the University of Cincinnati, where he made history by leading the Bearcats to a College Football Playoff appearance—the only 'Group of 5' school to achieve this feat in the four-team playoff era.
His professional journey began when the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 74th overall pick, initially viewing him as a potential successor to franchise legend Matt Ryan. After losing the starting job to Marcus Mariota in his rookie year, Ridder started four games in the 2022 campaign.
He earned the full-time starting role for the 2023 season, only to be supplanted by Taylor Heinicke in Week 8. Ridder reclaimed the position after Heinicke struggled, but his tenure in Atlanta ended following the high-profile signing of Kirk Cousins. He was subsequently traded to the Arizona Cardinals for wide receiver Rondale Moore.
Since that trade, Ridder has had a nomadic journey through the league, with brief stints on the practice squads of the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings before landing this opportunity with the Packers.
Playoff Implications for Green Bay
The signing is a clear insurance policy for a Packers team with serious postseason ambitions. All eyes will be on the fitness reports for Jordan Love as Saturday night approaches. Should Love be unable to start and Willis remain hampered, Ridder provides a seasoned, if itinerant, option with starting experience.
This move underscores the high-pressure environment of the NFL playoffs, where a single injury can force rapid and calculated roster decisions. The Packers' management is leaving nothing to chance as they aim to advance in the postseason, setting the stage for a dramatic Wild Card weekend at Lambeau Field.
