Who Should I Start? Teddy Bridgewater or Desmond Ridder

Wednesday, August 13, 7:51 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater didn't play in the preseason opener, but he was more prominently featured in the team's QB rotation during training camp practice on Wednesday, according to beat writer Scott Smith. Head coach Todd Bowles said the work that Bridgewater gets in joint practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday will help him determine whether the veteran signal-caller will play on Saturday against the Steelers. "He knows how to run an offense," said Bowles. "He definitely knows how to run an offense. The timing is coming with the receivers so we look forward to him playing a little more." The 32-year-old has 10 years of NFL experience and comes to Tampa to compete with Kyle Trask for the backup job to starter Baker Mayfield. Bridgewater hasn't started a game since 2022 with the Dolphins, though, and appeared in just one regular-season contest with the Lions the last two years.

Sunday, July 20, 1:53 PM

Former Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Desmond Ridder is signing an undisclosed deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, per the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Ridder will bring some experience to the Bengals' QB room behind starter Joe Burrow. The 25-year-old Ridder will join backups Jake Browning and Logan Woodside. He was originally a third-rounder by Atlanta in 2022 out of Cincinnati. Ridder made 17 starts in Atlanta in his first two years in the NFL before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2024. He then appeared in six games with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 before joining the Bengals this summer. In three NFL seasons, Ridder has completed 63.6% of his pass attempts for 4,002 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 25 games (18 starts). He will not be a lock to make the 53-man roster out of training camp.