Falcons pull plug on QB; rook Ridder to start

December 8, 2022

Falcons pull plug on QB; rook Ridder to start … After losing 4 of their last 5 starts to drop to 5-8, Atlanta is making a change at QB. Veteran Marcus Mariota is being benched and replaced by rookie Desmond Ridder, the Falcons’ 3rd round pick at the 2022 draft. At least Ridder will have a little time to work with the first unit as the Falcons have their bye this week and don’t play again until a week Sunday when they will be in new Orleans to play the Saints. What it likely means going forward, that if the Falcons don’t think that Ridder is the long-term answer at the position, they could very well be looking at QBs early at the 2023 draft. The Falcons currently would have the 10th pick overall if the draft was held this week.