The Atlanta Falcons are hanging by a thread to first place in the NFC South, but they have a pretty sizable question mark at the quarterback position.
After letting go of Marcus Mariota, their previous starting QB, months ago, Desmond Ridder, their new QB1, has struggled this season, and at one point a few weeks ago, he was benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke.
Ridder was reinstated as Atlanta’s starter ahead of last week’s game, and although he threw two interceptions, he did enough to get them a win over the New Orleans Saints, who they’re trying to fend off for the division lead.
He told Jim Rome that while he was benched, he not only learned how to be a true backup and be ready to get into a game if needed, but he also got an outside perspective of what his team needs on offense.
.@DesmondRidder on how his time on the sideline changed his perspective. pic.twitter.com/CblVm2GRXz
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) December 1, 2023
On the season, Ridder has completed 65.2 percent of his passes, but he has thrown more interceptions (eight) than touchdown passes (seven).
It was at halftime of Atlanta’s Week 8 contest against the Tennessee Titans that Ridder was benched after the team fell behind 14-3.
He likely isn’t the Falcons’ long-term solution at QB, but they do have a few load-bearing pieces for the future, including second-year wide receiver Drake London and rookie stud running back Bijan Robinson.
Rebuilding in the NFL is a long and arduous process, and the Falcons aren’t close to being out of the woods, but perhaps they’re starting to find a pathway out.
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