Falcons 'Evaluating' Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke as 'All Options' Open
Zac Robinson is still new to Atlanta - it's his first week on the job, and he joked he's just hoping he remembers his login information on his computer.
But Robinson, the Falcons' recently hired offensive coordinator, knows this much: no doors are closed on who he and head coach Raheem Morris will start at quarterback this fall.
Atlanta has three quarterbacks on its roster - Desmond Ridder started 13 games last season, Taylor Heinicke started the other four and Logan Woodside saw a handful of snaps in the season finale.
The Falcons are expected to look elsewhere for their next starter ... but Robinson pumped the breaks on that idea during his introductory press conference Wednesday.
"The guys that are here, we're evaluating everybody," Robinson said. "So, Taylor and Desmond, we're looking at those guys - all options are on the table."
Robinson noted he had a brief conversation with Ridder, who completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season, but he didn't elaborate further on the topics of discussion.
"I’ll keep that under wraps for right now, but I’m excited to watch a little bit more of Des," Robinson said. "To be honest, haven’t seen a ton yet. Just still kind of working through the process there. Definitely connecting with all of those guys is going to be a great deal. I look forward to doing that."
Falcons owner Arthur Blank dubbed last year's quarterback play as "deficient" Jan. 8, and doubled down after hiring Morris, saying each candidate he interviewed saw the quarterback spot as an area that needs work.
Blank noted scheme and play calling are critical to manufacturing high-level quarterback play, but seemingly implied change is coming under center.
"It's very clear to everybody, all of our fans, all of you, anybody throughout the NFL, that this is a position we need to figure out how we're going to get better in 2024 and beyond," Blank said. "Whether it be trades, free agency, draft - there's lots of opportunities out there for us and we'll look at them all."
Blank hired Morris to get the Falcons back to the postseason for the first time since 2017, and Morris hired Robinson to jumpstart an offense that hasn't been top-10 in points scored since 2018.
Robinson, 37, has spent the past five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, serving as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2019 and 2021, assistant receivers coach in 2020 and quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator the past two years.
A three-year starting quarterback at Oklahoma State University turned NFL draftee and brief pro signal caller, Robinson brings an extensive background to the position.
Jul 26, 2023; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson during training camp at UC Irvine.
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
With experience comes knowledge of what's needed - and Robinson has a lengthy list of prerequisites for whoever fills the role of Atlanta's next starting quarterback.
"That guy's got to be the most competitive guy in the room," Robinson said. "Got to have mental and physical toughness, got to be able to think, got to have mental capacity, throw the football accurately, have the inventory of throws - pace, touch (and) they've got to be able to drive it when they need it."
Robinson was highly complimentary of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, dubbing him a Hall of Famer and the smartest guy he's ever been around.
One of Stafford's greatest hallmarks is his ability to perform late in close games. He has 35 career fourth quarter comebacks and has led 44 game winning drives.
For some signal callers, the clutch gene isn't always present - but it has to be in a Robinson-led offense.
"They've got to have poise and competitive greatness," Robinson said. "These games are so close; you've got to have a guy that wants the ball in his hands in those crunch time moments."
Despite his recent work with Stafford, Robinson reaffirmed the position is entirely open in terms of style - the Falcons could opt for either a pocket passer or dual threat, should they check the other boxes.
Atlanta's coaching staff has already been revamped in the quarterbacks department.
After Charles London left to become the Tennessee Titans' quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator last spring, the Falcons opted to have offensive coordinator Dave Ragone work with the quarterbacks, though he didn't receive the official title of quarterbacks coach.
Under Morris, an emphasis has been placed on adding mentors to the position - stretching beyond Robinson.
The Falcons shifted former NFL signal caller T.J. Yates from receivers coach to his more natural position as quarterbacks coach, and they hired former Grambling State University quarterback and New Orleans Saints offensive assistant D.J. Williams as assistant quarterbacks coach.
In essence, there are now two coaches dedicated solely to working with quarterbacks after having zero last year, while Robinson will also have a role in the position's development.
"We've got some great guys that have been around the quarterback room, whether they played it, coached it," Robinson said. "Raheem and I have spent a lot of time the last three years talking about quarterbacks."
Through those conversations, Morris was strongly convicted in Robinson's capacity and teaching skills.
Putting action behind words, Morris pointed to now-Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff's evolution in L.A., now-Tampa Bay Buccaneers passer Baker Mayfield's late-season arrival and subsequent success in 2022 and Stafford's strong work this past year en route to his second Pro Bowl nod.
To get back to winning, the Falcons first have to solve the quarterback riddle - and Morris, armed with three years of firsthand knowledge, thinks Robinson can provide the answer.
"His ability to connect with the quarterback, relate to the quarterback and what they do and how they do it and how they go about their process, how do they get to the point to be ready to play at this highest level that you need to play in this league stood out to me working with him," Morris said.
"Watching the work that he did with the quarterbacks that came through when I was with the LA Rams has been absolutely outstanding."
Atlanta has the coaches - now, it needs the quarterback.
And regardless of whether it's a rookie or veteran, a new addition or a returning player, Robinson plans on approaching the day-to-day process with the same goal - growing cohesion.
"The first thing is just building a relationship where they can trust what we’re doing," Robinson said. "It’s going to be T.J. Yates, myself, the guys that are in that quarterback room, that’s all of us together. So, I think building that relationship, that foundation of trust."
