The Atlanta Falcons are officially making a change at quarterback.
Although on a bye week for Week 14, it appears that Marcus Mariota is no longer going to be the starter moving forward.
Enter third-round rookie, Desmond Ridder.
Sources: The #Falcons are looking to the future, making a QB switch to rookie Desmond Ridder as the starter. pic.twitter.com/x5GDff5VFx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 8, 2022
Under Mariota, the Falcons have been led to a record of 5-8 and are in second place in the AFC South, just behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, coach Arthur Smith has decided that he has seen enough of Mariota.
Who Is Desmond Ridder?
Ridder was taken by the Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 74th overall.
He was just the second quarterback drafted overall, behind first-rounder Kenny Pickett.
A four-year starter for the Cincinnati Bearcats, Ridder was certainly one of the most decorated quarterbacks in team history.
In his senior season, Ridder led the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff, where they were defeated by college football juggernaut, the Alabama Crimson Tide.
His career record in Cincinnati was 42-6, and he recorded 10,239 passing yards, adding 87 touchdowns and 28 interceptions.
Besides his passing prowess, Ridder was known to be quite the athlete in college.
He rushed for 2,180 yards in these four seasons, adding 28 total touchdowns to his repertoire.
Up to this point in the NFL, Ridder hasn’t played any snaps and has just been the backup to Mariota.
We will certainly soon see what Ridder is made of and if he will be able to have any sort of success in the NFL.
Surrounded by young weapons like Drake London and Kyle Pitts, Ridder certainly has the supporting pieces to succeed, if he can handle the task of being an NFL quarterback.
NEXT: The Falcons Have Lost A Promising Player On Offense