Who Should I Start? Desmond Ridder or Jake Haener

Thursday, March 14, 1:30 PM

The Arizona Cardinals are acquiring former starting quarterback Desmond Ridder from the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, according to a source. Ridder squandered his chance as the full-time starter for the Falcons in 2023 by throwing for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 15 games (13 starts), eventually being benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke. The former third-round pick out of Cincinnati has also lost nine fumbles in 19 games (17 starts) in his two NFL seasons. Atlanta's signing of Kirk Cousins made Ridder expendable, and he'll now make for a solid backup option in Arizona for starter Kyler Murray. The 24-year-old obviously won't be on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues in 2024 now that he's firmly entrenched in a backup role.

Wednesday, September 6, 9:28 PM

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener was suspended six games for violating the NFL's PED policy on Wednesday. Haener, a fourth-round pick out of Fresno State in 2023, will kick off his NFL career away from the team as he serves out his suspension. He will first be eligible to return to the team's active roster on October 16 and will lose $250,000 of his $750,000 salary on the year. Haener mostly practiced as the team's third-string QB behind Derek Carr and Jameis Winston throughout training camp and the preseason.