A year ago, Desmond Ridder was a starting quarterback in the NFL and some people were optimistic about what he could accomplish with the Atlanta Falcons.

One year and one team later, he is unemployed.

According to NFL Media, Ridder is being released by the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals signed the quarterback in his third year this offseason, but selected Clayton Tune to replace Kyler Murray. Tune appeared in seven games as a rookie last season and had a passer rating of 22.6.

Ridder had high hopes in 2022 after a solid finish to his rookie season. But last season, the Falcons benched him twice. In 13 starts, he had 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Falcons went ahead and signed Kirk Cousins ​​and traded Ridder to Arizona for receiver Rondale Moore. It was an unfortunate trade; Moore suffered a knee injury during a practice that ended his season.

Ridder played in all three preseason games and completed 20 of 35 passes, had no touchdowns, but also no interceptions. His performance was not enough to earn a spot on the roster.

It’s more bad news for the quarterback class of the 2022 NFL Draft. Kenny Pickett, the only first-round pick in that class, was traded this offseason. Ridder and Malik Willis, the second and third quarterbacks in that draft, have already been traded, and Ridder was released by his second team. The only hit from the entire class at the quarterback position was Brock Purdy, who was selected with the last pick.

Ridder turns 25 at the end of the month, he has a third-round draft pedigree and there have been signs that he looked like a viable NFL quarterback. This should give him another chance. If he signs with anyone, it will be Ridder’s third team in 2024.