The Green Bay Packers have made a decisive move at the quarterback position, signing veteran Tyrod Taylor and releasing former Minnesota Vikings signal-caller Desmond Ridder. The transaction, reported by NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, sends Ridder back to the free agent market as he searches for a QB3 role or practice squad opportunity elsewhere.
Ridder's tenure in Green Bay was short-lived, lasting just a few months after he joined the Packers last December. He never saw game action in the green and gold, and now faces an uncertain path forward. The 2022 third-round pick has 18 NFL starts under his belt—17 with the Atlanta Falcons and one with the Las Vegas Raiders—posting an 8-10 record as a starter. His career numbers tell the story of a capable but unspectacular player: 16 touchdowns against 14 interceptions, averaging roughly 160 passing yards per game.
Head coach Matt LaFleur's decision to bring in Taylor signals a clear priority for experienced depth behind starter Jordan Love. With Malik Willis now the QB1 in Miami, the Packers needed a reliable backup, and Taylor—despite ranking near the bottom of the NFL in efficiency metrics in 2025—brings veteran savvy to the quarterback room. The move leaves Green Bay with four quarterbacks on the 90-man roster: Love, Taylor, Kyle McCord, and rookie Kyron Drones.
For Ridder, the road ahead is familiar but no easier. He split time with the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings last season before landing in Green Bay. His last regular-season action came in six appearances for the Raiders in 2024. While he offers mobility and isn't afraid to take contact, defenses have rarely had to game-plan specifically for his running ability. His passing game can keep an offense afloat with strong support around him, but it rarely elevates a team on its own.
As the NFL offseason continues, Ridder will hope to find a landing spot where he can compete for a backup role. For now, the Packers have made their choice clear—and it's Taylor, not Ridder, who will be suiting up behind Love in 2025.