Packers sign Desmond Ridder with quarterback room in flux

With their postseason fate already decided, the Packers aren’t taking any risks with either of their ailing quarterbacks. 

While Jordan Love recovers from a concussion suffered in Week 16 against the Bears, and Malik Willis nurses a shoulder injury sustained against the Ravens on Saturday, Green Bay signed veteran signal-caller Desmond Ridder to its practice squad ahead of its Week 18 matchup against the Vikings. 

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero confirmed the addition Wednesday morning, noting that Ridder could be in line to start Sunday’s regular-season finale in Minnesota.

The Packers (9–6–1), who clinched a postseason berth after the Vikings beat the Lions on Christmas Day, would have little to lose by rolling the dice on Ridder — already locked into the NFC’s seventh seed with a road matchup in the wild card round.

Love is expected back for the postseason, with Green Bay just needing a short-term fix in the interim.

Ridder, 26, was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft by the Falcons and started 17 games across two seasons in Atlanta. 

He made six appearances with the Raiders during the 2024 campaign.

Ridder spent this season bouncing around the Vikings’ active roster and practice squad but has yet to take any snaps this year. 

The former Cincinnati standout entered the league with promise but has largely struggled to find his footing on NFL turf. 

Over 25 games, Ridder has completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 4,002 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

The Packers could also turn to Clayton Tune, the team’s third-string signal-caller, to start under center. 

The 26-year-old Houston product cameoed against Baltimore after Willis’ shoulder injury, completing 1-of-4 passes for eight yards and an interception.

Kickoff from Minnesota is set for 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 4.