Green Bay Packers quarterback Desmond Ridder, who previously spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, is likely to be released as the franchise reshapes its roster following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft. According to a report by Tom Pelissero of NFL Media via ProFootballTalk, the team plans to part ways with the signal-caller to clear a spot in the quarterback room following the arrival of veteran addition Tyrod Taylor.
Ridder originally joined the Packers last December but did not appear in any regular-season games for the organization. His departure leaves Green Bay with four quarterbacks on the active roster: Jordan Love, newly added veteran Tyrod Taylor, Kyle McCord, and rookie Kyron Drones, as reported by ProFootballTalk. The roster adjustments arrive just as teams begin evaluating their depth charts ahead of summer training camps.
Roster Shuffling and Ridder’s NFL Journey
The timing of the expected release coincides with the aftermath of the 2026 NFL Draft, a window where clubs frequently make minor adjustments to accommodate newly acquired talent before the grueling preparations for the regular season begin. For the Minnesota Vikings, training camp is officially scheduled to open on July 20th for rookies, followed by veterans reporting on July 22nd.
Desmond Ridder’s career path has spanned several franchises since he entered the league. Selected 74th overall in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, Ridder made 17 starts during his first two seasons in Atlanta. Over his professional career, he has completed 322 of 503 pass attempts for 3,544 yards, throwing 14 touchdowns against 12 interceptions across all NFL action, according to data highlighted by ProFootballTalk. Following his tenure with the Falcons, his journey included stints with the Las Vegas Raiders—where he made six appearances during the 2024 campaign—as well as time with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings prior to landing in Green Bay.
Why the Packers Are Making the Move
The decision to move on from Ridder stems directly from Green Bay’s desire to restructure its depth behind franchise starter Jordan Love. By releasing Ridder, the front office successfully cleared space to bring in veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor, securing an experienced presence to anchor the backup role. While Ridder’s stint in Green Bay yielded no on-field action, analysts suggest his prior starting experience could make him an attractive option for other organizations looking to bolster their quarterback rooms during training camp.
However, a reunion with the Minnesota Vikings is not in the cards. Minnesota’s quarterback depth chart is firmly established with Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, J.J. McCarthy, and Max Brosmer occupying the available seats, leaving no immediate opening for another signal-caller in the room.
Broader Roster Dynamics in Minnesota
Beyond quarterback transactions, analysts are closely monitoring how the Vikings might utilize the remainder of the offseason to tweak their roster. Recently, discussion has turned toward potential trade scenarios involving prominent wide receivers. According to Vikings Territory analyst Dustin Baker, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has emerged as a theoretical trade target for Minnesota should a high-profile standoff between the receiver and his current team culminate in a departure.
Baker noted that while San Francisco remains in no immediate hurry to offload Aiyuk, potential financial relief following June 1 could pave the way for a deal, estimating that compensation could center around a sixth-round draft pick. Such a move would represent a low-risk, high-reward acquisition given the tactical similarities between the offensive schemes of 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. Nonetheless, questions remain regarding the wide receiver’s long-term playing intentions, keeping any potential pursuit strictly in the realm of speculation.
As the NFL calendar transitions toward the opening of training camps in late July, front offices across the league will continue to evaluate the waiver wire and free-agent pool to finalize their 90-man rosters. Further roster movements are expected to materialize as clubs test their personnel in early team drills. We invite our readers to share their thoughts on these roster developments in the comments section below.
