Is Desmond Ridder the Atlanta Falcons' Starting Quarterback in 2023? Will the Falcons Sign or Draft a QB?

February 14, 2023

Is Desmond Ridder the Falcons' starting QB heading into 2023? Could Atlanta sign or draft another QB? Read the outlook here.

The Atlanta Falcons are in good shape going into the 2023 season. The Falcons are projected to have the second-most cap space, $58.6 million, and have nine picks in the NFL 2023 Draft, including the eighth pick overall.

The Falcons’ young roster contains the second-leading rookie rusher in the league, Tyler Allgeier. Rookie wide receiver Drake London led the Falcons in catches (72) and receiving yards (866). Players still on their rookie contract are tight end Kyle Pitts, cornerback A.J. Terrell, linebacker Troy Andersen, and safety Richie Grant. Pro Bowl right guard Chris Lindstrom will be entering his fifth-year option.

What about the QB situation in Atlanta heading into 2023? Let's break it down.

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Marcus Mariota

Mariota began the season as the starting quarterback. He was benched in Week 15.

Mariota had 300 passing attempts for the season, a 61.3% completion percentage, 2219 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

Mariota signed a two-year contract for $18.75 million. The Falcons will save $12 million if they cut him before June 1, per Over the Cap.

Desmond Ridder

Ridder was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was the second quarterback selected after the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kenny Pickett in the first round.

Ridder received his first start in Week 15 after Marcus Mariota was benched.

In Ridder’s four starts, he finished with a 63% completion rate, zero interceptions, two touchdowns, and 708 passing yards.

2023 Quarterback Expectations in Atlanta

The 2023 season will be the third year for head coach Arthur Smith. In 2022, the Falcons were 31^st in passing percentage (44.71%), a plummet from his first full season as head coach, where they finished eighth (60.93%).

However, in the last two seasons, the Falcons have finished with an identical 7-10 record. They have not been over .500 at any point in a season since the end of 2017.

With Matt Ryan under center, the Falcons finished 31^st in rushing yards per game, 29^th in total yards, and 26^th in points per game while throwing the ball 60.93% of the time.

In the 2022 offense, the team finished second in rushing yards per game (159.9), 24^th in total yards per game (323.5), and 15^th in points per game (21.5).

The change in quarterbacks from Ryan to Ridder/Mariota appears to be a change in quarterback expectations. The Falcons went from a pass-first mentality (33.7 pass attempts per game, 19^th)  to their quarterbacks averaging 24.4 pass attempts per game.

“We’re very excited about Desmond Ridder.”

Michael Rothstein of ESPN quoted owner Arthur Blank. Blank was especially effusive of the fact that Ridder did not throw any interceptions.

Of course, we are skeptical about preseason “coach” or “owner” speak…but.

Will the Falcons Draft or Sign a QB?

Mariota will most likely be cut. A ton of veteran quarterbacks are hitting the free agent market this season who the Falcons can pick up to challenge Ridder for the QB1 spot.

But right now, QB1 in Atlanta is Ridder’s position to lose.

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