NFL News Roundup: Bengals Add Veteran QB Desmond Ridder; Seahawks Release Former First-Round TE Noah Fant…see more…
In a busy stretch of offseason roster reshuffling, two notable moves grabbed attention across the NFL landscape on Monday: the Cincinnati Bengals are signing veteran quarterback Desmond Ridder to bolster their depth chart, while the Seattle Seahawks are parting ways with tight end Noah Fant, a former first-round pick. With training camps opening around the league, teams are making final adjustments to strengthen rosters and manage cap space. These developments carry implications not only for the franchises involved but also for the players’ careers and positional competition across the league.
Bengals Bring in Ridder for Depth and Experience
The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to terms with Desmond Ridder, a former third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons, in a move designed to improve their quarterback depth behind franchise star Joe Burrow. Ridder, 25, started 17 games across two seasons with the Falcons but struggled with consistency. He finished the 2023 season with 12 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions, and a completion rate just under 65%.
Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals earlier in the 2024 offseason but was released before the start of camp. Now, he finds a new opportunity in Cincinnati, where he will likely compete with Jake Browning for the primary backup role.
Cincinnati has made no secret of its desire to upgrade its quarterback room after injuries to Burrow derailed their 2023 season. The team limped through the latter half of the year without adequate production at the position following Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury. Browning showed flashes, but head coach Zac Taylor has stressed the importance of competition.
“Desmond brings experience as a starter, mobility, and leadership,” Taylor said in a statement. “We’re excited to see him compete and help elevate the quarterback room.”
Ridder, a Cincinnati native and former University of Cincinnati standout, returns home in what some see as a potential career reboot. During his time in college, Ridder led the Bearcats to a College Football Playoff berth and was viewed as a high-upside developmental prospect entering the NFL. However, his struggles with pocket awareness and ball security in Atlanta stunted his growth.
In Cincinnati, he’ll have the benefit of a more stable offense, veteran receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and a system that prioritizes quarterback development.
Seahawks Move On From Noah Fant
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks have released tight end Noah Fant, ending his four-year run with the team. Fant, originally drafted 20th overall by the Denver Broncos in 2019, was traded to Seattle in the blockbuster deal that sent quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver in 2022.
Fant, 27, was entering the final year of his rookie contract and was set to count approximately $6.85 million against the cap. His release will save Seattle over $6 million in cap space — money that may now be allocated toward reinforcing other needs or rolling into future spending flexibility.
New head coach Mike Macdonald offered a brief comment on the decision. “Noah’s been a pro and a contributor, but we’re making tough choices to build the roster we believe gives us the best chance to succeed,” he said.
In two seasons with the Seahawks, Fant totaled 864 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Though durable and occasionally effective as a pass-catcher, he never emerged as the dynamic threat many expected when he entered the league out of Iowa. His usage also declined in 2024, as the Seahawks incorporated more two-tight end sets and leaned on the blocking abilities of players like Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson.
The decision to release Fant appears tied both to his contract and a desire to reshape the offense. With new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb transitioning from the college ranks at Washington, there is speculation the Seahawks could favor more spread formations that emphasize wide receiver depth over traditional tight end play.
Fant now becomes one of the more intriguing free agents on the market. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds with 4.5 speed, he still offers an athletic profile that could appeal to teams needing a receiving tight end. Potential suitors may include the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, or even a reunion with Denver if they want to shore up their tight end depth.
League-Wide Implications
These two moves highlight the mid-July churn that often occurs before camps open. Teams are finalizing depth charts, assessing contract values, and evaluating positional competition heading into what is expected to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.
The Bengals’ acquisition of Ridder may not impact their Week 1 plans — Burrow is healthy and locked in — but it does provide critical insurance in a league where backup quarterback play often dictates a team’s fate in December. If Ridder can rediscover the poise he displayed in college, he could carve out a long-term role as a trusted No. 2.
For Seattle, the decision to move on from Fant signals a shift in offensive philosophy and possibly even a rebuild. The Seahawks are entering the post-Pete Carroll era and appear ready to hand more responsibility to younger players and scheme-adaptable personnel.
Around the league, general managers and coaching staffs will be watching how quickly these players adapt. Ridder has the advantage of joining a stable organization and system familiar with his background, while Fant may need to wait until injuries or early-season struggles elsewhere create an opening.
What’s Next
Training camps officially open for veterans across the NFL this week. Both Ridder and Fant — albeit now in very different situations — will be watched closely as teams adjust rosters and refine depth charts. The Bengals are expected to have Ridder fully integrated into their offense within the week, while Fant will likely draw interest during the initial waves of camp cuts and signings.
These moves may not generate the same headlines as a quarterback battle or a high-profile signing, but they reflect the often unforgiving nature of NFL roster construction. In a league where opportunity and timing are everything, both Ridder and Fant face critical months ahead in their careers.
As the 2025 season approaches, the chess pieces are still moving — and for players o
n the bubble, the spotlight is already shining.
