The Las Vegas Raiders have been in QB purgatory since they decided to let Derek Carr walk. Obviously, in the last year and a half, he hasn't been great either, but he has been better than the four quarterbacks we have seen for the Raiders in the two years since. They have a quarterback problem, and it's very obvious.
Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew were never the long-term answers for the Raiders. But, they were players to help them get their quarterback next year. And, to be honest, it's working for them. They are 2-5, maybe 2-6 this weekend after the Kansas City Chiefs matchup, and one step closer to having their pick of the litter from the QBs in the draft.
But even so, with O'Connell's injury, they had to bring in a new quarterback. They brought in Desmond Ridder, who previously played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals.
In the locker room after his first practice, he was already showing his true, raw emotion.
“I got cut…my daughter was like where are you going? I do everything for my family.”
Newly signed Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder appears to get choked up upon signing with the team.
Great question by @HeidiFang
: By @Sean_Zittel, Vegas Sports Today#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/meL5tFCGJj— Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) October 23, 2024
"Because I was just cut three months ago," Ridder said as he started tearing up. "That should be enough (motivation) to keep me going any time. Back home, you know, I got the call and everything, and my daughter was like where are you going? I'm like, I have to go to Vegas. So, I do everything for my family. This is just another opportunity to prove to them, prove to myself and everyone that I can do this. I know what I can do, I know what I can be, now I just have to go do it."
Ridder is the type of quarterback that Raider Nation is going to absolutely love. He plays with his heart, wears his emotions on his sleeve, and is very talented. He just hasn't been put in great situations, and, he has made his fair share of mistakes at work just like we all have.
Ridder is a guy that the Raiders could be interested in keeping around, even after they draft their quarterback. He may not play this Sunday, but the next week, I could certainly see him playing against the Cincinnati Bengals.
