Minnesota Vikings Make Major Quarterback Signing As JJ McCarthy’s Struggles Continue
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings moved quickly on Thursday and signed quarterback Desmond Ridder to their practice squad. They brought him back less than two months after cutting him, and the move comes at a tough time for the offense.
JJ McCarthy is still in the league’s concussion protocol as Week 13 gets closer. The QB has had trouble staying healthy, and he has struggled even when he plays. With the season starting to slip away, the Vikings turned to Ridder again to help steady the quarterback scenerio.
Ridder already knows the team well after spending part of September and October in Minnesota. The Vikings released him in October, but he stayed ready in case they called him back.
Minnesota Vikings Look For Stability At Quarterback
Ridder has moved around the NFL ever since the Falcons drafted him in the third round in 2022. He started 17 games for Atlanta between 2022 and 2023, completing 63.6 percent of his passes for 4,002 yards and 16 touchdowns in 25 total games. He also added five rushing touchdowns. After that, he spent time with the Cardinals, Raiders, and Bengals before Minnesota Vikings brought him back.
Vikings signed QB Desmond Ridder to their practice squad.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 27, 2025
The Raiders gave him one start in six games in 2024. In that stretch, he completed 52 of 85 passes for 458 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Arizona had placed him on their practice squad before Las Vegas picked him up during the season. The Raiders then chose not to tender him as a restricted free agent in February.
He signed with the Bengals in July but didn’t make the final roster. The Vikings stayed in touch with him after that and eventually brought him back.
The Vikings drafted McCarthy with the tenth pick and gave him a clear path to start. They let Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold leave and chose not to bring in an experienced backup. Now McCarthy is facing heavy criticism for his performance. Anthony Amico of Establish the Run said, “J.J. McCarthy now ranks 851 out of 852 in EPA per Dropback among qualified passers since 2000.” noting that only JaMarcus Russell is lower.
His problems go beyond that. McCarthy has a 52.6 PFF grade, one of the worst in the league. He has thrown six touchdowns and ten interceptions, and he ranks low in passing yards even though he has played fewer snaps than most starters.
