Falcons Could Trade QB Desmond Ridder

The Pittsburgh Steelers have questions on how they will fill out their quarterback room aside from Kenny Pickett. Mitch Trubisky is likely on the way out, and Mason Rudolph could have other options to land elsewhere. While the team is now being connected to Ryan Tannehill, could a trade make sense for a younger quarterback to help fill out the room?

There could be options that would cost only a late-round pick. And in Atlanta, Desmond Ridder could be on the move as the Falcons look to acquire a new quarterback. In fact, according to NFL Network insiders Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport, and Mike Garafolo, Ridder could be traded.

“Once they acquire a new QB, potentially tradingg Ridder would be an option, as well. It might be a situation where a fresh start works for all parties,” they wrote.

The connection for the Steelers and Ridder is new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who coached Ridder for two seasons in Atlanta, but they were not two successful seasons by any means. In fact, Ridder played so poorly that he ended up being benched. But Pittsburgh scouted him heavily in the 2022 NFL Draft process and could think that he might fit the model of a solid rehabilitation project under the guidance of Smith.

Smith will be bringing in a new scheme and playbook. Getting Pickett up to speed in the new offense will be the new coaching staff’s first and most important job. There isn’t going to be a lot of time for them to be spreading his efforts around. 

So it makes a lot of sense if the second quarterback is someone that is already familiar with Smith’s offensive scheme and playbook. As the Steelers are likely looking to add a veteran, that new quarterback could be almost like a second quarterbacks coach — they need one of those as well — in the room along with Pickett and potentially another younger passer.