The Atlanta Falcons traded quarterback Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals for wide receiver Rondale Moore.

Why they made the move

The Falcons signed quarterback Kirk Cousins this week to a four-year, $180 million contract to finalize a long-expected transition at the position. Cousins is expected to be the starter in Atlanta for the foreseeable future.

Ridder, a third-round pick in 2022, was benched last season and no longer had a future with the Falcons. Keeping him as a backup wouldn’t have been in the best interest of the team or player.

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So turning Ridder into a rotational receiver feels like a win. The Falcons already brought Cousins into an advantageous offense with running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts, and they’ve added Moore and wideout Darnell Mooney this week. They’re doing everything possible to help Cousins succeed.

Moore, a second-rounder in 2021, is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has 135 receptions for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns in his career. His numbers have declined each season, though, so it’s clear general manager Monti Ossenfort and coach Jonathan Gannon wanted to go in a new direction at receiver in their second season.

With quarterback Kyler Murray’s injury history, the Cardinals need to have depth at the position, and they were scrambling on the backup front until Murray debuted in 2023. They’re clearly hoping Ridder can be revitalized with a restart.

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Trade grade (Falcons): B-plus

Ridder was no longer in the Falcons’ plans, so they did well to get a receiver with some versatility to his game. Moore has 52 career carries for 249 yards and one touchdown, so there could be some creative opportunities for offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to get him involved.

Moore hasn’t necessarily lived up to his second-round draft status, but he still has talent. It’s also worth noting Falcons coach Raheem Morris and Robinson just got a good look at Moore in the NFC West. There’s an element of familiarity.

Even if Moore is only sporadically used, he boosts the depth chart and gives the Falcons some veteran experience heading into a season with their highest expectations in years.

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Trade grade (Cardinals): B-minus

The backup quarterback market has become an interesting place with Gardner Minshew, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston and Jacoby Brissett corralling sizeable contracts this week.

Ridder won’t cost anywhere nearly as much, although past production is certainly relative to compensation. But again, there’s an element of untapped potential with Ridder. Maybe he can find a spark behind Murray and turn into a high-quality backup.

(Photos of Rondale Moore and Desmond Ridder: Christian Petersen and Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)