A few weeks ago, Arthur Smith said the Falcons weren’t going to play musical chairs at quarterback, but apparently, he didn’t mean it. Because after benching Desmond Ridder in favor of Taylor Heinicke, then going back to Ridder for a few weeks, the Falcons are once again planning to start Taylor Heinicke in Week 16 against the Colts
The reasoning?
Arthur Smith believes Heinicke gives the Falcons the best chance to win right now.
Arthur Smith said the plan was for the Falcons to finish out the season with Desmond Ridder, BUT:
"We feel right now, where we're at, that Taylor (Heinicke) gives us the best chance."
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) December 20, 2023
Smith also noted that the plan is for Heinicke to start the final three games. Desmond Ridder’s time as a starter in Atlanta appears to be over.
The plan for the Falcons moving forward is to have Taylor Heinicke start the final three games of the season, per Arthur Smith. Desmond Ridder will be his backup.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) December 20, 2023
However, while Ridder may never be considered the starting quarterback of the Falcons again, those who believe this is the end for him in Atlanta might not be seeing the full picture.
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith: "The journey is not over for Desmond (Ridder)."
— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) December 20, 2023
Ridder is still under contract for two more seasons, and while he isn’t a franchise quarterback by any means, he’s still a more than worthwhile backup that knows Arthur Smith’s system on a cheap contract. I would be shocked if he wasn’t the backup quarterback for the Falcons next year, unless some team comes along and wants to trade for him. Even then, it might be in the team’s best interest to hang onto him because of his favorable contract, allowing them to move off of Taylor Heinicke at the end of the season and save over $7 million.
It’s a disappointing end for Desmond Ridder’s 2023 campaign, but the reality is he was a third-round pick. It was always unlikely for him to develop into the Falcons franchise quarterback, which is why it was so puzzling that Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot put all of their eggs into his basket going into such a pivotal year three. It didn’t work, and heads could roll at the end of the season because of it.
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Photographer: Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire
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