Why Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Believes in Desmond Ridder as 'QB of Future'
FLOWERY BRANCH -- Seemingly for the last several years, all eyes surrounding the Atlanta Falcons' quarterback situation have been glancing towards the future.
During the final few years of Matt Ryan's tenure, talk intensified - and when Atlanta traded Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts in Mar. 2022, the time to act officially came.
And so, the Falcons signed veteran Marcus Mariota as a stopgap action shortly thereafter, only furthering their plan to add a long-term solution ... and when the team selected Desmond Ridder in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the potential answer under center grew clearer.
Now heading into Ridder's second season in Atlanta and first as a full-time starter, eyes have shifted back to the present, focused on whether the former Cincinnati Bearcats star is cut out to be "the guy" ... but inside the Falcons' facilities, there's little doubt surrounding that idea.
Just ask owner Arthur Blank, the man at the very top, his thoughts on Ridder - he won't hesitate to speak fondly of the 23-year-old, going as far as telling reporters on Tuesday that he feels the quarterback position has been solidified moving forward.
"We feel pretty strongly that he's going to be our quarterback of the future," Blank said of Ridder. "We’ve got to play games and we’ve got to see, but we feel good about him.”
Blank noted that his confidence in Ridder stems from more than just his four-game stint as Atlanta's starting signal caller to close last season, during which he completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 708 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions while guiding the team to a 2-2 record.
That's what everyone points to, Blank argues, when constructing their opinions of Ridder - but for Atlanta's seasoned owner, there's a broader picture of evidence that reflects positively on the young passer.
"He really progressed from the time that he came on campus after he was drafted and had a good camp," Blank said. "He’s always been a strong leader since he’s shown up here and continued to develop."
The developmental aspect is one that is particularly intriguing to Falcons coach Arthur Smith, who's embracing the opportunity to mold Ridder into the long-term solution Blank believes he is.
Smith appreciates Ridder's ability to walk the fine line between being aggressive and settling into a rhythm, adding he's not only willing to take shots but that he's hit those shots before in games.
And thus far, Smith has largely echoed Blank's remarks regarding Ridder's future - thanks to the intangible assets that he's shown on the field and behind the scenes since arriving last May.
"That’s a guy you’re trying to develop as a quarterback because you love his leadership traits (and) you know he’s not scared of the moment," Smith said.
Not to be lost in the Falcons' optimism surrounding Ridder's long-term potential is their appreciation for the past figures who helped reach this point.
Blank made sure to mention that Ridder worked well with Mariota during the 2022 season and learned a lot from his veteran counterpart.
Shortly thereafter, Blank touched on Ryan's impact with the organization, dubbing him "a storied quarterback and a storied leader and player in the history of our franchise, which goes back to 1966."
With eyes blinking between the future and past, Blank feels that Ryan's time with the Falcons may not be over after all, even with his new job as an analyst at CBS. The two had dinner shortly after the season ended, and Blank, who has six children, shared that Ryan is "like a seventh child to me."
Could a family reunion be in store? Perhaps - especially with the benefits that his presence could have on Ridder's development.
"Matt is welcomed back into the organization," Blank said. "I think when his playing career is over, whenever that officially becomes over, I think you'll see even more of him. We have a great relationship with him."
But for now, with the past quarterback situations firmly in the rearview mirror, Blank is focused on Ridder ... and believes that between his intangibles and Smith's ability to develop quarterbacks, there's a lot in store.
Look no further than the four-game stretch that he first avoided referencing, instead noting that progress had long been underway before then. During that stint, Ridder ascended statistically and won his final two starts, proving he could lead big drives and handle late-game situations.
And so, between his track record of development both inside and outside the spotlight and the manner in which he carries himself, Ridder has fostered optimism and belief from the top of Atlanta's leadership chain.
"He’s a learner and he’s got a lot of humility," Blank said. "As the year progressed, he had an opportunity to play, and I think he played at a very competitive level in the last four games. Each game seemed to be a little bit better."
Now, the challenge becomes continuing that development throughout training camp and into the regular season, where Ridder will get the ultimate opportunity to quiet all questions about his status as the Falcons' quarterback of the future.
And in Blank's eyes, with all the power that they hold, there's significant belief that he'll ace that test.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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