Arthur Smith was not willing to rule out the possibility that Desmond Ridder will start at QB next weekend as the Atlanta Falcons take on the Indianapolis Colts.
The Falcons fell to the worst team in the league Sunday afternoon, thanks in part to a poor showing from the 2nd-year man out of Cincinnati. Ridder threw a costly interception late and led the Falcons to just 7 points against a defense allowing just under 25 points per game this season. Ridder finished 12/20 for 152 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
On Monday, Smith told reporters that a decision between Ridder, backup Taylor Heinicke or otherwise has not been finalized ahead of Week 16.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith said he hasn't finalized a decision on who will start at quarterback this week.
— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzATL) December 18, 2023
What’s the right move for the Atlanta Falcons?
Many fans around the NFL agree: The Desmond Ridder experiment needs to be over. The former Cincinnati QB has failed to build off a rough rookie season, and at this point the chances are starting to dry up.
But where do the Atlanta Falcons turn from here? The Falcons have already benched Taylor Heinicke after the veteran went -02 against the Vikings and Cardinals as a starter. Heinicke has appeared in 3 games this season and has completed 41 of his 74 passing attempts for 498 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Heinicke’s losses to Arizona and Minnesota came by a combined 5 points.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting a different result, but the Falcons can’t keep rolling Ridder out there with a playoff spot still (barely) in play.
Atlanta finished the season against Indianapolis, Chicago and New Orleans. They’d need some help and a perfect 3-0 record to reach the postseason. Tampa, which currently leads the division, sits at 7-7 alongside New Orleans, also at 7-7.