Did Atlanta Falcons' Desmond Ridder Earn Another Shot at Starting QB Job vs. Arizona Cardinals?
The Atlanta Falcons may have lost on the road to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon, but the quarterback controversy appears to be back on for Arthur Smith's offense.
Professional veteran Taylor Heinicke has drawn starts in back-to-back weeks after lackluster performances from previous starter Desmond Ridder. Heinicke entered play due to Ridder sustaining a concussion against the Tennessee Titans, but he held onto the starting role through this week.
Now, however, the roles are reversed, and Heinicke left Sunday's game with an injury, giving way once again to Ridder who accounted for a rushing touchdown in the loss. The question now stands: should Ridder once again gain starting snaps for the Falcons, even if Heinicke is able to return to play?
Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder
© Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
This question seems to boil down to franchise goals for Atlanta. In short, do the front office and coaching staff believe that Ridder is the long-term answer at quarterback for the franchise, or would they rather roll the dice with a veteran who will certainly not have as much football in front of him as the younger arm?
If wins and losses are any indication, it's somewhat of a draw. Heinicke has not collected a win as Atlanta's starter, and while Ridder has, the offense looked anemic at times under his leadership. There are instances where a veteran provides a greater likelihood for "immediate" wins in a given season over a younger player, but it doesn't appear that this is the case for the Falcons given the last few weeks.
Of course, at this point of the season, the old adage, "if you have two quarterbacks, you have none" comes into play. Things are looking increasingly dim for Atlanta as losers of three straight, but with the current state of the NFC South, a playoff berth is still not out of the question for the 4-6 Falcons.
The Falcons need to find their answer under center sooner rather than later. They will play host to the New Orleans Saints next Sunday in a game that could go a long way in deciding the South's pecking order come season's end.
Will it be Ridder taking those snaps? He may have at least earned that shot on Sunday, if nothing else.
