Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Desmond Ridder

Monday, April 21, 11:41 PM

The Atlanta Falcons have said publicly that they aren't interested in trading quarterback Kirk Cousins but that they'd entertain offers if the right deal is on the table. According to sources, they've privately had talks with other teams and have asked for a lot in return. Specifically, the Falcons have asked any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $37.5 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins' contract. No team has been willing to do that to date, and no teams are expected to be willing to. However, what happens during this week's NFL draft could influence how much guaranteed money a team might be willing to take on from the 36-year-old veteran's contract. The Vikings or Steelers could be willing to pay down to around $10 million for Cousins. He did not look good in his first season coming off a torn Achilles in 2023 and was eventually benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16 last year.

Friday, February 28, 5:22 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders informed quarterback Desmond Ridder that they will not tender him an offer as a restricted free agent this offseason, a source tells NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Ridder will now hit the open market next month after playing in six games (one start) in his lone season for the Raiders in 2024. He went 52-for-85 for 458 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions as a backup in Vegas. The 25-year-old former third-round selection (74th overall) by the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 out of the University of Cincinnati appeared in 19 games (17 starts) in his first two years in the NFL in Atlanta before the Falcons moved on. Ridder briefly latched on as a backup option with the Arizona Cardinals before joining the Raiders this past season. He has plenty of starting experience since entering the league, but Ridder will just be hoping for a chance to earn a backup gig somewhere else in 2025.