What’s the old adage, “if you have two starting quarterbacks, you really don’t have any”? The Atlanta Falcons are hoping that the old adage is just a cliche. According to various reports, the Falcons want to revert to Desmond Ridder as their starting quarterback when they return from their bye week in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints. This will be a departure from the last two weeks, when Ridder sat and watched in favor of Taylor Heinicke.
This might be a “career-changing choice” for Ridder and Heinicke, but head coach Arthur Smith is also under pressure to get this right, since Atlanta’s quarterback situation has been in disarray for over two years. Ridder started the Falcons’ first eight games this season, but threw three interceptions against Washington and then lost three red-zone fumbles the following week against Tampa Bay. What was the purpose of that benching? “A lot of variables,” Smith explained.
What happens next? Following the bye, the 4-6 Falcons face the Saints, with Atlanta behind New Orleans in the NFC South by just one game. It will be Ridder’s duty to lead the chase in part now, with Smith deciding who of his 2022 third-round draft picks is best-suited to do so. And it will be Arthur Smith’s responsibility to get this properly.
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