Who Should I Start? Lamar Jackson or Desmond Ridder

Monday, March 31, 12:02 PM

The Baltimore Ravens have had early contract-extension talks with quarterback Lamar Jackson, and head coach John Harbaugh said that when a deal does get completed, Jackson will become the highest-paid player in NFL history. It's not that big of a surprise after Jackson came close to winning his third MVP award in 2024. The four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro had another excellent season for the Ravens last year, throwing for a career-high 4,172 yards, career-high 41 touchdowns and only four interceptions in 17 regular-season starts while also adding 915 rushing yards on 139 attempts for another four touchdowns on the ground. Baltimore's season came to a disappointing end in the Divisional Round in a loss to the Buffalo Bills, but the 28-year-old dual-threat signal-caller was the QB1 overall in fantasy points and should be the first quarterback off the board in fantasy drafts in 2025.

Tuesday, May 6, 11:29 PM

Free-agent quarterback Desmond Ridder will receive a tryout for the Denver Broncos during their rookie minicamp this weekend, a source tells 9 News' Mike Klis. The former University of Cincinnati product was drafted in the third round in 2022 by the Atlanta Falcons and started 13 games in 2023. The 25-year-old was way too inconsistent and injury-prone, though, with the Falcons moving on after just two seasons. He appeared in six games (one start) for the Las Vegas Raiders last year and completed 61.2% of his 85 pass attempts for 458 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Former first-rounder Bo Nix is Denver's unquestioned starter after a strong rookie season in which he led the Broncos to the playoffs, and Jarrett Stidham will return as his backup. If Ridder is signed, he'd compete with Sam Ehlinger for the No. 3 job in the QB room.