The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback room has been a revolving door of struggles this season, and the latest move underscores just how quickly things can change.

After a disastrous outing in Week 12 that ended with rookie J.J. McCarthy suffering a concussion, the Vikings turned to Max Brosmer in Week 13—only to watch an equally uninspiring performance unfold.

Yet even amid that chaos, Minnesota made a surprising roster decision on Tuesday: the team officially released quarterback Desmond Ridder.

Ridder had been signed just a week earlier, brought in specifically to serve as the third-string option behind Brosmer and veteran John Wolford. With McCarthy now progressing in his recovery and cleared to resume the starting job, the Vikings no longer needed the extra arm.

McCarthy slides back into the QB1 spot, Brosmer becomes the primary backup, and Wolford returns to the practice squad. Ridder, meanwhile, heads back to the open market.

The move is hardly a vote of confidence in Ridder’s long-term prospects. Once considered a legitimate starter during his time with the Atlanta Falcons—where he started games across two seasons—the 26-year-old has seen his stock plummet.

Teams now appear to view him solely as emergency depth rather than a viable long-term solution.

For Ridder, it’s another abrupt stop on what has become a nomadic journey through the league. And for the Vikings, the quarterback uncertainty may only be temporarily paused—McCarthy’s health and the overall performance under center suggest Minnesota could be back in the market for signal-caller help before long.

It will be interesting to see what the next chapter is for Ridder. He has never been able to make his NFL career into what it was expected to be.

As for the Vikings, the quarterback situation continues to be a nightmare. They could look to add to the room during the 2026 NFL offseason.