WELCOME BACK, DES: Former Cincinnati Bearcats Star Desmond Ridder Reportedly Returns to Queen City, Signs with Bengals After NFL Journey

Desmond Ridder is coming home. After winding through a challenging NFL journey that included stops in Atlanta and Las Vegas, the former Cincinnati Bearcats legend is reportedly returning to the city that launched his rise to football stardom — this time donning Bengals stripes.

According to multiple league sources, Ridder has signed a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, marking a full-circle moment for a quarterback who once electrified Nippert Stadium and led the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff. His return reunites him with a fanbase that never stopped rooting for him — even from afar.

Ridder’s signing comes after a tumultuous few years in the NFL. Drafted in the third round by the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, Ridder was once viewed as a long-term option under center for a franchise seeking stability. However, inconsistent play and a revolving door of coaching changes in Atlanta left Ridder struggling to find his footing. He flashed promise — most notably in his four starts to close out his rookie campaign — but turnovers and offensive struggles in his sophomore season led to the Falcons trading for veteran Kirk Cousins and eventually moving on.

From there, Ridder was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2024 as part of a quarterback reshuffling that saw the Falcons acquire depth and flexibility. In Las Vegas, Ridder served primarily as a backup behind Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew, seeing limited reps during preseason and in mop-up duties. Though he impressed at times with his mobility and calm presence, the Raiders chose not to renew his contract, leaving Ridder a free agent heading into the 2025 season.

Enter Cincinnati.

With Joe Burrow returning from a wrist injury that cut short his 2024 campaign, the Bengals are making calculated moves to fortify their quarterback depth. Signing Ridder provides a local favorite with familiarity, poise, and enough NFL experience to offer insurance and flexibility behind Burrow, especially with questions surrounding Jake Browning’s long-term future as the backup.

More than just a football move, Ridder’s return carries deep emotional significance. The former two-time AAC Offensive Player of the Year transformed the Bearcats from a Group of Five power to a legitimate national contender. From 2017 to 2021, Ridder went 44-6 as a starter, including an undefeated regular season in 2021 and a historic berth in the College Football Playoff — the first ever by a non-Power Five program.

He left Cincinnati as the school’s all-time winningest quarterback and one of the most accomplished signal-callers in program history. His poise, leadership, and humility made him a fan favorite, and those bonds never truly faded.

When word of his Bengals signing surfaced late Sunday night, the city responded with excitement and nostalgia. Fans flooded social media with memories of Ridder’s college heroics, including his dismantling of Notre Dame in South Bend and his icy calm in shootouts against UCF and SMU.

“Des coming back to Cincy is like a storybook chapter being reopened,” said former Bearcats teammate and Bengals defensive back Arquon Bush. “He built something special here. Now he gets a chance to do it again — this time on Sundays.”

For Ridder, the opportunity represents a chance at both redemption and reunion. He arrives in a locker room loaded with veteran leadership, a premier quarterback room, and an offense guided by one of the game’s top play-callers in Zac Taylor. Learning behind Burrow, a fellow Ohio football icon, might be the ideal environment to help Ridder rebuild his confidence and continue evolving as a pro.

And while no one expects Ridder to compete for a starting job immediately, the Bengals are known for valuing readiness at the quarterback position. Burrow’s 2020 ACL tear and last season’s wrist injury reminded the organization that quality depth at quarterback can be the difference between a playoff run and a lost season. Ridder’s ability to both extend plays and absorb a playbook makes him a low-risk, high-upside addition.

Ridder’s familiarity with the city is also likely to help his transition. He and his family still have close ties to the Cincinnati community, and Bearcats fans will likely flock to Paul Brown Stadium in even greater numbers now that one of their own is back in the fold.

Local business owners and charities in Clifton have already voiced their support for Ridder’s return, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him immediately reengage with some of the organizations he championed during his college days. Throughout his time at UC, Ridder was known not just for his production on the field, but for his character off of it.

“He’s a great football player, but he’s an even better man,” said Luke Fickell, Ridder’s former college head coach. “Seeing him back in Cincinnati — it feels right. It feels like unfinished business in the best possible way.”

Now 25, Ridder still has time to carve out a stable NFL career. And with the Bengals, he may have found the right blend of opportunity, structure, and support to do just that. The franchise has built a winning culture over the last four seasons, and Ridder’s disciplined approach to football aligns with the ethos Taylor and Duke Tobin have worked to instill.

What remains to be seen is how Ridder fits into the team’s long-term vision. He’ll begin training camp battling for a roster spot, likely competing with Browning and a handful of undrafted rookies. If he shines in preseason action or practice, he could solidify himself as the team’s No. 2 option. If not, he could at least serve as a valuable mentor or practice squad veteran.

Either way, Desmond Ridder’s second act in Cincinnati will be one to watch. It’s rare in the NFL to get a true homecoming story — even rarer when the player returning is already considered a hometown hero.

And for the city of Cincinnati, this signing is more than a depth chart move. It’s a reminder that loyalty, legacy, and heart still matter in professional sports.

Fans will now have a chance to cheer for Ridder not just as a former Bearcat, but as a Bengal. From Saturdays to Sundays, his journey comes full circle. And while his path hasn’t always been smooth, it’s led him right back to where it began — the Queen City, under familiar skies, with a new mission.

Desmond Ridder is home again.