FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The move that was heard was about to become official. Arthur Smith named Desmond Ridder the starting quarterback in Atlanta. The head coach made this decision through the announcement that started the press conference on Monday. The story was first reported during the Falcons bye week by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Ever since the Falcons drafted Ridder the question has always been: How long will it be before he takes the field in the regular season? When – many have asked – will we see Ridder?
Marcus Mariota was named the starter before the start of the season, thanks in part to his league experience and his familiarity with Smith’s scheme as the two spent a few years together in Tennessee. As the second quarterback goes off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft, though, many are wondering when Ridder will emerge.
As expected, Ridder played a better role in the Falcons’ preseason games than Mariota’s first offense. Ridder cheered on fans when the Falcons traveled to Detroit to face the Lions during the first preseason game in August.
Although Ridder was 10-for-22 through the air in that game, the rookie quarterback went on a two-minute drive that ultimately won the game for the Falcons.
Since the preseason, though, Ridder has been in the background while Mariota has led the Falcons offense in the regular season.
The Falcons as an offense kept the defense on their toes early in the 2022 season.
With Matt Ryan in Indianapolis, no one knows what the Falcons offense will look like with Mariota at the helm. The initial findings were encouraging, though.
After starting the season 0-2, the Falcons won four of their next six games. In Week 6, Mariota was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his close performance in the Falcons’ 28-14 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
However, Mariota’s role as the Falcons starting quarterback came into question in the weeks that followed.
The Falcons have lost four of their last five games before the Week 14 bye. So, when Smith was asked after the Falcons’ recent loss to the Steelers if the Falcons were planning to make a change at the quarterback position, his answer was very different from how he was asked the same question in the Falcons’ Week 10 loss. .you Carolina.
“Every option is on the table,” Smith said after the Falcons’ loss to the Steelers.
In his final press conference before the Falcons’ bye week, Smith said if there will be any personnel changes — at any position, not just the quarterback position — he will make that known when next week ends.
The head coach did the same, announcing a week later that Ridder would start in Week 15.
In his first regular season game for the Falcons, Ridder will have a long test against the New Orleans Saints. Playing in New Orleans is a big challenge anyway. Playing in New Orleans in your first regular season start as a rookie quarterback? Well, this has all the makings of a true ‘Welcome to the NFL’ season.
This is the level that many outsiders are looking for, though. The bottom line is that the Falcons need to start thinking about the future early.
Mariota just signed a two-year deal with the Falcons after they traded Ryan in the offseason. So, it goes without saying that Mariota has always felt like the bridge between the Ryan era in Atlanta and whoever came next as a quarterback. When the Falcons drafted Ridder in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, there were rumors that the next chapter in franchise history might involve him.
However, it’s hard to get a real sense of this pick when you’ve never seen Ridder in a real, live, regular NFL game.
With Smith’s announcement Monday, it’s official, though: The Falcons will finally start putting things together, working to figure out exactly what they have in Desmond Ridder.
They will begin this process in New Orleans.
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #9 passes before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
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A locker room look for Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
A top view of the halo screen as the Atlanta Falcons play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Keith Smith #40 is seen during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
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Evander Holyfield hits the red carpet before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Kathryn Skeean/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 prepares to take the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota #1 is seen before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford #28 reacts after a fumble in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Keith Smith #40 is seen during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #35 returns a fumble in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
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Tag Team and C+C Music Factory perform during the halftime show during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 plays during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
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Fans watch during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Timmy Horne #93 arrives before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
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Freddie Falcon zippiness from the roof before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons)
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The Swag Surf Award in the Dirty Birds Nest during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Rashaan Evans #54, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Matt Dickerson #91, Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Troy Andersen #44, and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 pose for a photo after an interception during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Field Mercedes-Benz game in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson #84 in the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Frank Darby #88 arrives before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons tight end Feleipe Franks #15 and tight end Kaleb McGary #76 prepare to take the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons tight end Anthony Firkser #86 reacts after a catch during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons )
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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 prepares to take the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is seen before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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A full helmet view of Atlanta Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen #44 before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford #28 before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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Atlanta Falcons tight end MyCole Pruitt #85 celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 4, 2022. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
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The Falcons 2022 schedule has been released, the regular season will begin hosting the Saints – The Falcoholic.
Why is Mariota out?
Mariota has also been placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury, and is not seen as a long-term part of the franchise. This may interest you : Which NFL teams will not have cheerleaders in 2022 and why?. He was benched for his performance, and now Ridder has a chance to prove his worth in the remaining games.
Why isn’t Mariota playing? Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota has decided to undergo knee surgery after being benched by rookie Desmond Ridder. The Atlanta Falcons beat Marcus Mariota last week. A day later, he ended his career with the team. The Falcons announced to Mariota on Dec. 8 that they would trade Desmond Ridder.
Why did Mariota get benched? After being benched for rookie Desmond Ridder for performance reasons, Mariota left the team. And the group does not know if he will return. Coach Arthur Smith said Mariota will be placed on injured reserve. A four-game losing streak will take him out of the regular season.
Where did Marcus Mariota go?
Is Marcus Mariota still in the NFL?
He will enter the second season of a two-year, $18.75 million contract in 2023 after completing 60.3 percent of his passes for 7. On the same subject : Quijano: Usyk turns Josué into an animator | SUN STAR.4 yards per attempt and a 15:9 TD:INT ratio while adding 438 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. through 13 appearances during his first campaign in Atlanta.
How much are the Falcons paying Marcus Mariota? Current contract Marcus Mariota signed a 2-year, $18,750,000 contract with the Atlanta Falcons, including a $5,000,000 signing bonus, $6,750,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $9,375,000.
Is Marcus Mariota getting benched?
Who will start at QB for the Atlanta Falcons? — The action that was heard was imminent and became official. Arthur Smith named Desmond Ridder the starting quarterback in Atlanta. On the same subject : Eagles fan lives on the court, lives her dream on the field. The head coach made this decision through the announcement that started the press conference on Monday. The story was first reported during the Falcons bye week by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Will Mariota be on the bench? Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota is out. Actually. After being benched for rookie Desmond Ridder for performance reasons, Mariota left the team.
Is Marcus Mariota still with the Falcons?
Current contract Marcus Mariota signed a 2-year, $18,750,000 contract with the Atlanta Falcons, including a $5,000,000 signing bonus, $6,750,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $9,375,000.
Did Marcus Mariota leave the Falcons? After being benched for rookie Desmond Ridder for performance reasons, Mariota left the team.
