The writing on the wall for Desmond Ridder was evident the moment Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons agreed on a deal to bring the veteran quarterback to the “A.” Now with the Falcons set at their starting quarterback position, Ridder is set to get a fresh start out west while the Falcons were able to add another pass catcher to the fold in the move.
We discuss the deal that sends Ridder out west in what is a rare trade that involves two players and no draft picks.
Desmond Ridder for Rondale Moore Trade Details
According to multiple sources, the Falcons are sending their former starting quarterback to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore. It’s a rare NFL player-for-player trade that does not include draft compensation.
But players get a fresh start, and Ridder can back up Kyler Murray in Arizona while Moore has a chance to make a difference for the Falcons in their new retooled offense with Cousins under center.
Ridder finishes his Falcons career after starting 17 games for the organization, where he compiled a record of 8-9. He accumulated 3,544 passing yards on a 64% completion percentage, with 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.
The former third-round pick out of Cincinnati will now get a chance for a fresh start in Arizona as he continues to progress through his young NFL career.
As for Moore, Atlanta is now getting a dynamic receiver who can have an impact not only in the intermediate passing game but also out of the backfield.
Moore never put up gaudy numbers during his time in Arizona, but despite that, he feels like an untapped resource with a chance to reinvent himself with Cousins in Atlanta. The young WR finished 2023 with 40 receptions, 352 receiving yards, and one touchdown.
Moore now enters an offensive group that features Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson, setting up a dynamic where it may be difficult to command the football right away. However, the Falcons add quality depth with this move and do so by moving on from a quarterback who no longer fits into their plans.
Ridder for Moore is an unusual move for NFL standards that typically see players get traded for draft picks. But with an aggressive approach in free agency and teams looking for other ways to upgrade their rosters, this may be the start of similar moves we see leading up to April’s draft.
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