In a move that reshapes their quarterback depth chart, the Green Bay Packers are releasing former Atlanta Falcons signal-caller Desmond Ridder, as reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Monday afternoon. The Packers have agreed to terms with veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who will step in as Jordan Love's primary backup this season. This decision effectively ends Ridder's tenure in Green Bay, as the team opted to bring in Taylor's experience and stability behind center.

Taylor is expected to replace Malik Willis, who signed with the Miami Dolphins in NFL free agency after the Dolphins released quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. In a twist, Atlanta has since signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.2 million contract, adding another layer to the quarterback carousel. With Taylor now in the fold, the Packers had no need to retain Ridder, sending the former third-round pick back into free agency where he can sign with any team.

Ridder's journey began when the Falcons selected him with the 74th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati. Over his first two seasons in Atlanta, he accumulated 3,544 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions across 19 games (17 starts), showing flashes of promise but ultimately struggling with consistency. After the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins and drafted Michael Penix Jr. in 2024, Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals. However, he failed to make the roster out of training camp and later joined the Las Vegas Raiders.

Since then, Ridder has bounced around the league, signing with the Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, and now the Green Bay Packers. At just 26 years old, he still has time to develop and should be able to catch on somewhere as a backup this season. For fans tracking his career, it's a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the NFL—especially for quarterbacks navigating a league that demands both talent and timing. Where will Desmond Ridder land next? Only time will tell, but his journey is far from over.