Falcons Trade QB Desmond Ridder to Arizona For Cardinals Receiver Rondale Moore
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons quickly moved on from Desmond Ridder, trading their former starting quarterback to the Arizona Cardinals for receiver Rondale Moore on Thursday.
The dumping of Ridder was no surprise after the Falcons made a big splash in free agency by signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract that includes $100 million in guaranteed money.
A third-round pick in 2022, Ridder had no future in Atlanta after failing to hold the starting job last season. His tenure with the Falcons ended with a 8-9 record over 17 starts.
Ridder will now serve as a backup to Kyler Murray with the Cardinals.
Moore gives Cousins another playmaker at receiver, joining 2022 first-round pick Drake London and free-agent signee Darnell Mooney. The Falcons also announced Thursday the re-signing of receiver KhaDarel Hodge to a one-year contract.
Moore, a second-round pick from Purdue in 2021, will be looking to revive his career after a promising start. The 5-foot-7 player had 54 receptions for 435 yards as a rookie, but he hasn’t matched those numbers over the past two seasons.
The speedster had 40 catches for 352 yards and a touchdown this past season. He also spent time at running back, rushing for a career-high 178 yards on 28 carries.
Moore, who finished his three-year tenure in the desert with 135 receptions for 1,201 yards and three scores, should be motivated to improve those numbers as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract.