The Atlanta Falcons have been to two Super Bowls throughout their 56-year history.
They defeated the heavily-favored Minnesota Vikings in the 1998 NFC Championship Game to face the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.
However, they lost that game held in Miami, Florida.
Almost two decades later, the Falcons held a 28-3 lead in Super Bowl LI.
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots completed a run to win in overtime, 34-28.
The team’s diehard fans do not forget the heartbreak delivered by those losses, especially the latest one because Patriots fans still remind them about it.
But if former Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder will fulfill his recent statement, the Falcons will finally have a Super Bowl win.
.@desmondridder means business with the @AtlantaFalcons. 😤 pic.twitter.com/7Aj9SqyjS1
— NFL (@NFL) May 1, 2022
The Falcons drafted Ridder in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, making him the second quarterback drafted after Kenny Pickett.
But after knowing his NFL team, Ridder declared, “I’m not leaving until I get a Super Bowl.”
It’s a bold declaration for a rookie who is joining a franchise that needs more help.
In the NFC South alone, the Falcons haven’t surpassed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints.
Likewise, he might not have a choice about leaving, especially if he doesn’t perform to expectations.
Ridder Will Have A Chance To Compete
The Falcons will assess if they have a player in someone who threw for 30 touchdowns in his final collegiate year.
Therefore, Ridder has a shot in overtaking Marcus Mariota for the starting quarterback role.
While it hasn’t been declared that Mariota will be the starter, he’s the better option between him and Feleipe Franks before Ridder arrived.
Drafting Ridder may also push Mariota to do better during training camp.
After all, the rookie’s declaration shows that he will play with a chip on his shoulder.
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